Ohtani to Start NLDS Game 1 vs. Phillies

The NLDS opens Saturday in Philadelphia with the Dodgers sending Shohei Ohtani to start Game 1 and the Phillies expected to counter with left-hander Cristopher Sánchez. Ohtani will make his postseason pitching debut after returning from elbow surgery and could become the first player to start as a pitcher and as a non‑pitcher in the same postseason. Los Angeles says it eased him back into a 14-start role but now views him as a “normal starting pitcher” with no current limitations; he posted a 2.87 ERA across 14 regular-season starts with 62 strikeouts and threw five hitless innings against Philadelphia on Sept. 16. The Dodgers advanced by sweeping Cincinnati in the Wild Card round. Sánchez went 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA, and Philadelphia holds the regular-season series edge; the clubs meet in the postseason for the first time since 2009. Concerns about the Dodgers’ bullpen and the Phillies’ deep lineup mean Ohtani pitching deep innings will be pivotal for Los Angeles’ chances.