Shohei Ohtani Excited for NLDS, MLB Playoff Debut with Dodgers: ‘Childhood Dream’
Zach BacharContributor IOctober 5, 2024
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is eagerly anticipating his postseason debut ahead of the team’s matchup with the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series.
“It’s always been my childhood dream to be able to be in an important game,” Ohtani said through an interpreter, per ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez. “So I think the excitement of that is greater than anything else that I could possibly feel.”
The 30-year-old spent the first six years of his career on the Los Angeles Angels with fellow superstar Mike Trout. However, injuries and the lack of a consistent supporting cast prevented the Angels from making a postseason appearance throughout Ohtani’s tenure with the team.
After joining the Dodgers on a massive 10-year contract with a total value of $700 million, his first season with the organization has undoubtedly been a success.
Ohtani finished the regular season hitting .310 to go along with a National League-leading 1.036 OPS. He racked up 54 home runs, 130 RBIs and 38 doubles.
B/R Walk-Off @BRWalkoffOHTANI DESTROYS A BASEBALL FOR HOME RUN NO. 46 😯
(via @MLB) pic.twitter.com/cg02hZJ2yq
He also stole 59 bases, become the first player in MLB history to record a 50-50 season.
MLB @MLBFIFTY-NINE stolen bases for Shohei Ohtani!
He’s been successful in 36 consecutive attempts. pic.twitter.com/J6yPkiDVyr
Ohtani has experience in situations with high pressure, leading Japan to a World Baseball Classic title in 2023. However, he believes that the MLB postseason environment won’t feel the same.
“I do think that the postseason is going to be different from the World Baseball Classic, considering that we did have a week off,” Ohtani said through an interpreter, via Gonzalez. “So I’m doing the best I can to make sure that my first at-bat is really good.”
He’ll begin his postseason career against Padres starter Dylan Cease, who finished the regular season with a 3.47 ERA to go along with a 14-11 record in 33 starts.
Game 1 is on Saturday at 8:38 p.m. ET.
