Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani takes accountability, expresses major regret after Game 4 loss to Blue Jays

Hunter Cookston

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Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani takes accountability, expresses major regret after Game 4 loss to Blue Jays image

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Game Three of the World Series was one for the ages, with the Los Angeles Dodgers coming out on top after a Freddie Freeman walk-off blast. The Dodgers’ bullpen was lights out in the win, with every pitcher contributing. However, if there’s one potential issue for the Dodgers in this World Series, it’s their bullpen.

“The LA pen was filled with big names with bigger reps to start the season, but Tanner Scott, Evan Phillips, Kirby Yates, Michael Kopech and Brusdar Graterol are all out with injuries. What remains is a nine-man guessing game,” Heyman wrote. “Dodgers manager Dave Roberts seemed reluctant to employ his bullpen in previous rounds, and this performance, with the first eight batters LA’s pen faced driving in nine runs, can’t aid his confidence in the group."

On Tuesday, Shohei Ohtani took the mound as the starter. The last time he pitched, he made MLB history that may never be matched.

“Shohei Ohtani homered. Again. Dead center off Trevor Megill. He has three home runs tonight. He threw 6.1 shutout innings and struck out 10. This is one of the greatest individual performances in postseason history,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan posted.

Ohtani has been stellar on the mound this postseason, and he delivered six strong innings on Tuesday, though he was handed the loss. His biggest regret was not being able to finish the inning on the mound.

“My goal is to be able to pitch six innings, and the situation in this game I wanted to go seven. It was regrettable that I wasn’t able to finish that inning,” Ohtani told the media following the game.

Ohtani knew the bullpen was a bit depleted from the night before. The Dodgers surrendered four runs in the seventh inning — two charged to Ohtani and the others to the relievers.

The Dodgers are still in a good position, with the series tied and one more game left to play in Los Angeles. Heading back to Toronto with a 3–2 lead would be crucial, making a Game 5 win feel almost like a must.

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