Shohei Ohtani takes the field for the first inning of Game 6 at Rogers Centre on Friday.Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
Shohei Ohtani, the US$700-million-dollar man, will earn his salary tonight. The Dodgers superstar gets the start on the mound in Game 7 of the World Series.
It’s not Ohtani’s normal turn in the starting rotation. But after Tyler Glasnow, the towering right-hander, was called into action to bail the Dodgers out of a jam late in Game 6, Ohtani gets the ball.
It’s a fitting storyline for the World Series finale: The biggest name in baseball pitching in the biggest game of his career. Of anybody’s career, really.
What’s known in baseball as the “Ohtani rule” most likely necessitated his use as a starter today. The provision allows a two-way player to hit for the entire game, even if he is removed as a pitcher.
The rule stipulates that a pitcher can remain in the batting order as designated hitter, even after he is removed from his defensive position.
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Had Ohtani started as the designated hitter only, and then came in as a relief pitcher, he would not be allowed to return to the DH role if he were replaced by another pitcher. The only option would be to put him in the field, which would be highly unlikely given his limited experience as a position player in the Major Leagues.
It’s a rule that applies to players across baseball but really only impacts Ohtani.
The defending champion Dodgers will need both versions of Ohtani if they hope to complete the comeback and win the World Series back-to-back.
At the plate, Ohtani is .318 in the World Series. He hit three home runs and walked eight times so far, four of which came in the 18-inning Game 4. He also pitched that night - six innings that brought him four earned runs on six hits. Ohtani made 14 starts in the regular season, posting a strong 2.87 ERA. In the playoffs, he’s made three starts with a 3.50 ERA and 0.89 WHIP.
Who the Dodgers turn to once he’s through remains to be seen. L.A.’s bullpen has struggled. Manager Dave Roberts said everyone, save for Game 6 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, will be available.