The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Cincinnati Reds in Los Angeles, winning a trip across the United States to face the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS.
Game 1 of the NLDS sees the Dodgers' superstar Shohei Ohtani get his first MLB postseason start on the mound, as he'll look to begin the series right against a tough Phillies lineup.
But before the series, Ohtani was conducting an interview, where he was asked for his thoughts on Phillies fans. As Bob Nightengale of USA Today shared, Ohtani commented not just on Phillies fans but also shared what he loves about Philadelphia ahead of the NLDS.
Shohei Ohtani shares his opinion of Phillies fans and reveals what he loves about Philly
Ohtani said of Phillies fans: "They are very passionate." Since the Phillies returned to the postseason for the first time in a while in 2022, the Phillies fans have shown up in droves, making for one of the best attended ballparks in baseball.
Shohei Ohtani, when asked about what he knows about Phillies fans: ‘They are very passionate.’’
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 3, 2025
He also added that he loves the cheesesteaks they serve in the visiting clubhouse
But, Ohtani, unprompted, also brought up that he loves the cheesesteaks they serve in the visiting clubhouse. Philly cheesesteaks are a staple of Philadelphia culture, and Ohtani has grown to love the Philly cheesesteaks served in the visitors' clubhouse.
There have been some former players, both from the Phillies and from other teams, who have said how great the visitor clubhouse's cheesesteaks are. Ohtani isn't the only one to praise the visiting clubhouse cheesesteaks over the years.
Ohtani will have to hold back on eating too many cheesesteaks, as his matchup against the Phillies won't be a cakewalk. The Dodgers starter will need to battle tens of thousands of "very passionate" fans, who will take any opportunity they can to get under Ohtani's skin.
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He's starting Game 1 of the NLDS, a huge opportunity for the two-way player in his first postseason start and pitching appearance in his MLB career.
It's a fantastic matchup, with Ohtani facing a tough Phillies lineup led by Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. If needed, Ohtani will make a second start in this series, with his likely outing coming in Game 5 if this series gets there.
Ohtani's love for Philly cheesesteaks is the only thing he'll have in common with Phillies fans over the course of the NLDS. Once Saturday night, 6:38 p.m. rolls around, Ohtani becomes the target of Phillies fans' jeers.
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