Shohei Ohtani did something few humans can pull off: he made his long-awaited postseason pitching debut in a rowdy Citizens Bank Park and took the win in a 5-3 Game 1 of the NLDS against the Phillies.
The Japanese superstar faced some trouble in the second inning when he allowed three runs, starting with Brandon Marsh’s single just after Alec Bohm’s walk. This was followed by a J.T. Realmuto hit to center field and a Harrison Bader sacrifice fly, giving the Phillies a 3-0 lead early in the game. From that point on, Ohtani’s command and pitch variety were nearly untouchable, retiring 15 of the last 17 hitters he faced and completing his night with nine strikeouts in the six innings he pitched.
But the Dodgers battled back in the sixth inning. After cutting the Phillies’ lead to 3-2, they