When Shohei Ohtani steps onto the diamond, the MLB pays attention. Now that he’s pitching, Dodger fans love to see his two-way talent. With the playoffs approaching and the Dodgers in first place in the NL West, every move by their $700 million star is crucial. So, what’s the next plan in the book of Dave Roberts for him?
Shohei Ohtani’s comeback as a pitcher in 2025 has been a remarkable display of methodical brilliance. In eight starts, he pitched 19 innings with a 2.37 ERA, 25 strikeouts, and a 1.11 WHIP. Coming from injury and throwing on the mound after 2 years is no cake walk. Which is why the game plan becomes even more vital.
Finally, manager Dave Roberts revealed Ohtani’s immediate pitching strategy. In a talk with Nikkan Sports, Dave shared, “For now, I think four innings is good. I might pitch five innings once September arrives. Until then, I think four innings is good.” The manager laid out a clear plan for Ohtani, saying, “The day after my pitching day is my day off. The interval between pitching will not be less than a week, but around seven to nine days.” Roberts is setting up his best player to succeed in October while protecting his top pitcher.
And in the game against the Cardinals, his two-way skills were full on display, making that plan worth it. He pitched four innings, struck out eight batters, and hit a two-run home run. Despite the Dodgers losing to the Cardinals, his impressive performance highlighted why he is so highly regarded as “Sho Time.”
Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
After his latest game, when asked about his strategy, Ohtani gave a simple reply through his translator. He stated, “I don’t really try to think too differently on days that I pitch. It really felt good, the command of the fastball. Overall, the slider and curveball was really good.”
As Ohtani faces the Angels on Wednesday, the story unfolds: four innings, a steady build-up, and a chance to excel on both sides. If all goes well, this start will feel like a significant step toward the playoffs.
Shohei Ohtani is the soul of Dodgerland, even though he doesn’t get to pitch very often. At the plate, he’s not just hitting home runs; he’s rewriting history.
Shohei Ohtani might be limited on the mound, but he’s legendary at the plate
Ohtani may not pitch every game. But when he is on the plate, Dodgerland is never short on excitement. His bat stays very hot, giving him a steady pop and presence. They don’t wonder if he’ll come through; they know he will. And somehow, he always rises to the occasion.
Shohei Ohtani hit his 40th home run of the season in a game against the Blue Jays. The power stroke keeps electrifying lineups and scoreboards, showing that he is an offensive no-doubt even on “off” days as a pitcher. Not only this, but he also made a record.
Ohtani has scored 110 runs this year, more than any other NL hitter. Since 1932, when Chuck Klein led by as many as 37 runs, no one in the Senior Circuit has had a lead of more than 30 runs. It’s not just a lead; one person is bringing back a record that has stood for decades.
He may not be as good on the mound, but he is always great at the plate. That ability to pitch when needed and scare pitchers when not is what makes him stand out from the rest. In a game of specialists, he’s the rare, all-round, superstar package, and the Dodgers wouldn’t want it any other way.
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