Shohei Ohtani Pitches Dodgers to NLDS Game 1 Win Despite Four Strikeouts at the Plate

Shohei Ohtani secured his playoff pitching debut win for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of their NL Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night, striking out nine over six innings in a 5-3 victory. Despite struggling at the plate with four consecutive strikeouts, including three against Cristopher Sánchez and another against Matt Strahm, Ohtani settled down after a three-run second inning, retiring 15 of the final 17 batters and holding key Phillies hitters to 0-for-9. Manager Dave Roberts praised his ability to "compartmentalize" his performance, while Ohtani admitted to initial nerves that dissipated once on the mound. Ohtani, who didn't pitch last season due to elbow surgery, has built up his pitch count this year, posting a 2.87 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 47 regular-season innings. He is batting .250 lifetime in Citizens Bank Park with no homers.