The first NLDS matchup is set between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies. Philadelphia has been awaiting the winner of Los Angeles vs. Cincinnati, and the Dodgers took care of business with a two-game sweep.
However, things will get tougher for Los Angeles as they travel all the way east to Philadelphia to face a team that has immense star power.
Is Shohei Ohtani pitching in game one vs. the Phillies?
Following the Dodgers' second game against the Reds, manager Dave Roberts announced that Shohei Ohtani will be the game one starter against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Ohtani would have started game three against the Reds if it got that far, but luckily for the Dodgers, they handled their business, were granted an off day, and have Ohtani starting game one of the NLDS.
The start will mark Ohtani's postseason pitching debut.
Over 47 innings in the regular season, Ohtani posted a 2.87 ERA and 62 strikeouts. In September, Ohtani really started to find his groove as a starter, and the Dodgers started to ease him back into more lengthy starts.
Now that it's October, the expectation is that Ohtani has no leash and will be utilized in a way that gives the Dodgers the best chance to win.
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