Shohei Ohtani Excited for NLDS, MLB Playoff Debut with Dodgers: ‘Childhood Dream’

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is eagerly anticipating his postseason debut forward of the group’s matchup with the San Diego Padres within the Nationwide League Division Collection.

“It is at all times been my childhood dream to have the ability to be in an necessary sport,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter, per ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez. “So I believe the joy of that’s larger than the rest that I might probably really feel.”

The 30-year-old spent the primary six years of his profession on the Los Angeles Angels with fellow celebrity Mike Trout. Nevertheless, accidents and the dearth of a constant supporting forged prevented the Angels from making a postseason look all through Ohtani’s tenure with the group.

After becoming a member of the Dodgers on an enormous 10-year contract with a complete worth of $700 million, his first season with the group has undoubtedly been a hit.

Ohtani completed the common season hitting .310 to go together with a Nationwide League-leading 1.036 OPS. He racked up 54 dwelling runs, 130 RBIs and 38 doubles.

He additionally stole 59 bases, develop into the primary participant in MLB historical past to report a 50-50 season.

Ohtani has expertise in conditions with excessive strain, main Japan to a World Baseball Basic title in 2023. Nevertheless, he believes that the MLB postseason surroundings will not really feel the identical.

“I do suppose that the postseason goes to be completely different from the World Baseball Basic, contemplating that we did have every week off,” Ohtani stated by way of an interpreter, by way of Gonzalez. “So I am doing the perfect I can to make it possible for my first at-bat is actually good.”

He’ll start his postseason profession in opposition to Padres starter Dylan Stop, who completed the common season with a 3.47 ERA to go together with a 14-11 report in 33 begins.

Sport 1 is on Saturday at 8:38 p.m. ET.