Shohei Ohtani Thrives with Dodgers' Support, Poised for NLCS Sweep Pitch

Shohei Ohtani, in his eighth big-league season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is thriving thanks to the team's robust infrastructure for Japanese players. Following the theft by his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, Will Ireton stepped in as Ohtani's primary interpreter and director of Japanese player operations. Ireton, fluent in English, Japanese, and baseball, assists Ohtani during mound visits, bullpens, and flatgrounds to ensure effective pitch-data relay. While Ohtani has grown less dependent on Ireton for daily interactions, the Dodgers' support has been crucial in steering him back to his frontline arm capabilities. Now fully healthy and overpowering on the mound, Ohtani is set to pitch for the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS, with a chance to secure a sweep.