Shohei Ohtani made history as he took the mound in his first ever postseason pitching start, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. He delivered six strong innings, struck out nine batters, and helped silence a hostile crowd with a performance that showcased both grit and elite talent.
The game began with turbulence. In the second inning, Ohtani gave up a two-run triple that put him behind early. But rather than falter, he settled into a rhythm, relying on a sharp curveball and precise location to keep dangerous hitters at bay. Over the final innings he allowed just one more run while racking up key strikeouts, including against Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.
At the plate, Ohtani struggled, going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, but his true statement was made on the mound. His dual role is part of what makes him unique in modern baseball, and tonight he proved he can deliver when it matters most.
The win sets a tense tone for the series. The Dodgers will lean on the momentum from this daring debut as they push deeper into the postseason.
