The Los Angeles Dodgers star, Shohei Ohtani, will take the mound for the first postseason start of his pitching career when Los Angeles faces the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Ohtani admitted that he feels a little nervous but excited to finally pitch in the playoffs (h/t Bob Nightengale of USA Today).

Last October, he served exclusively as the Dodgers’ designated hitter after undergoing a second elbow surgery in September 2023, which kept him off the mound for the entire 2024 season. He might not have thrown a single pitch, but he more than held up his end of the bargain with three home runs and 10 RBI during the Los Angeles championship push .

Now fully back on the mound,

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