A High-Stakes Playoff Preview
As the regular season winds down, the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers are fine-tuning their strategy for a deep postseason run. Currently embroiled in a pivotal series against the Philadelphia Phillies—a potential National League Championship Series preview—the Dodgers are not just fighting for wins but also for crucial playoff positioning. With a record of 84-65, Los Angeles trails the 89-61 Phillies by 4.5 games for the National League’s No. 2 seed and the first-round bye that comes with it.
Despite recent challenges, the team’s confidence is buoyed by a starting rotation that is finally healthy and firing on all cylinders. Many analysts now consider the quintet of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Shohei Ohtani, Clayton Kershaw, and Tyler Glasnow to be the best in baseball heading into October. Since August 1, this formidable group has pitched the second-most innings in the league while posting a stellar 3.31 ERA, according to a report from digitaltrendstoday.com.
The Ohtani Conundrum: Starter or Reliever?
The most significant question facing the Dodgers’ brain trust is how to best deploy their two-way superstar, Shohei Ohtani. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman confirmed that the primary plan is to use Ohtani as a starting pitcher in the playoffs. Since returning from his second Tommy John surgery, Ohtani has posted a 3.75 ERA with 49 strikeouts over 36 innings, proving to be one of the best starters in the league.
However, both Friedman and manager Dave Roberts have left the door open for a more versatile role. “Things play out in October that you can’t foresee,” Friedman noted, referencing how former Dodger Walker Buehler transitioned from starter to a title-clinching reliever in last year’s World Series. The team could envision using Ohtani out of the bullpen in high-leverage, late-game situations on the days between his starts.
This strategic flexibility is complicated by MLB’s two-way player rules. If Ohtani enters a game as a reliever and is later replaced on the mound, the Dodgers would be forced to forfeit their designated hitter spot for the remainder of the game. This penalty does not apply when he is used as a starting pitcher.
“I think they missed the mark with it,” Friedman said of the rule, expressing frustration that it disincentivizes using a unique talent like Ohtani in multiple ways. For now, the team must weigh the immense value of Ohtani’s bat against the potential game-changing impact of his arm out of the bullpen.
Bullpen Boosts and Injury Hurdles
While the starting rotation has stabilized, the Dodgers are also looking for reinforcements in the bullpen. A significant boost may be on the way, as reliever Brock Stewart has begun a minor-league rehabilitation assignment. Acquired at the trade deadline, Stewart made just four appearances before a shoulder injury sidelined him. If all goes well, he could be activated this weekend and provide another reliable right-handed option for Dave Roberts.
The team is simultaneously navigating key injuries. Catcher Will Smith was recently placed on the injured list with a bone bruise in his right hand, testing the team’s depth at a critical position. Prized prospect Dalton Rushing, who was also on the IL, has completed his rehab assignment and is expected to be activated to help fill the void. These roster challenges come as the team faces a potential offseason shakeup, with several key contributors like Michael Conforto and Kirby Yates set to hit free agency.
As the Dodgers battle for playoff seeding, their path to defending the title appears to rest on their dominant starting pitching and the strategic deployment of their biggest star. While injuries and roster questions persist, the club is positioning itself for another memorable October campaign.
