Shohei Ohtani
Breakdown
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September 28, 2025
Breaks own Dodgers HR record
Ohtani went 3-for-5 with a solo homer, a double and an additional run scored in Sunday's 6-1 victory over the Mariners.
Analysis
The Japanese superstar broke his own Dodgers single-season homer mark with his 55th long ball. Ohtani cracked a 412-foot solo shot off Seattle southpaw Gabe Speier in the seventh to make history. The 31-year-old wraps another incredible regular season at the plate, slashing .282/.392/.623 with 20 steals, 146 runs scored and 102 RBI over 726 plate appearances.
September 27, 2025
Rare day off Saturday
Ohtani isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mariners.
Analysis
Ohtani went 0-for-3 during Friday's victory but still managed to extend his on-base streak to 30 games by drawing a walk. The Dodgers will give him an extra day to rest Saturday in preparation for the postseason, which will allow Tommy Edman to work as the DH while Miguel Rojas starts at second base.
September 27, 2025
Swipes bag No. 20
Ohtani went 0-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 3-2 win over the Mariners.
Analysis
The reigning NL NVP hasn't been able to match his historic 50-50 campaign from 2024, but Ohtani swiped his 20th bag of the year Friday, the third straight season he's reached that mark. His power numbers haven't regressed as he looks to defend his MVP crown -- he's headed for his third straight campaign with an OPS over 1.000, slashing .279/.390/.616 through 720 plate appearances with 54 homers and 101 RBI, including nine long balls in 23 September contests.
September 24, 2025
Sees full workload in no-decision
Ohtani allowed five hits and struck out eight without walking a batter over six scoreless innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. He also went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored as a batter in the Dodgers' 5-4 loss.
Analysis
Ohtani crossed the 90-pitch mark for the first time this season, throwing 63 of 91 pitches for strikes in another stellar start. He's kept runs off the board throughout September, allowing just eight hits with an 18:2 K:BB through 14.2 innings across his three starts this month. Ohtani is expected to be in the Dodgers' playoff rotation, so it's a big positive to see him looking both in form and fully stretched out in his final tuneup before the postseason. He's posted a 2.87 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 62:9 K:BB through 47 innings across 14 appearances this season.
September 23, 2025
Pegged for rotation in postseason
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said that Ohtani will be used as a starting pitcher in the playoffs, in addition to his designated-hitter duties, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis
The Dodgers discussed the possibility of using Ohtani as a reliever in the postseason and have even mulled deploying him some in the outfield so he could stay in the game as a hitter after he was done pitching in relief. However, they've ultimately decided Ohtani will be a member of their playoff rotation. Ohtani could even start Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series, as he'll be tentatively lined up for it after making his final regular-season start Tuesday in Arizona. The two-way superstar holds a 3.29 ERA and 54:9 K:BB over 41 innings covering 13 starts this season and went five hitless frames versus the Phillies in his last outing.