Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts just revealed when two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani's next start will be in the Postseason, and it couldn't be more fitting.
During the Dodgers' pregame press conference before Game Two, Roberts announced that, if the stars align, Ohtani will be the scheduled Game Five starter on October 11 at Citizens Bank Park.
Ohtani cruised in his first Postseason start for Los Angeles in Game One, going six innings, allowing three earned runs on three hits and striking out nine Phillies.
Roberts also acknowledged that Ohtani will not be an option to pitch in relief for the entirety of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, but said that the likes of Clayton Kershaw and Emmet Sheehan are viable options to come out of the bullpen and pitch multiple innings like Tyler Glasnow did last time out.
Despite Ohtani's performance on the mound in Game One, it should give Roberts some breathing room to use Ohtani effectively instead of deploying him in every critical situation, which could limit his future outings. With players like Roki Sasaki, Tyler Glasnow, and Alex Vesia, among others, there are plenty of high-leverage arms Los Angeles can bring in against a strong offensive team like the Phillies.
Blake Snell is the next slated arm to toe the rubber for Los Angeles for Monday afternoon's Game Two, as the Phils are sending out Jesús Luzardo, who has a record of 1-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 34n innings.