The Athletic is providing live coverage of the highly anticipated Dodgers vs. Blue Jays matchup in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series. This thrilling finale features the best player in baseball, Shohei Ohtani, taking the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers in one of the sport's most significant settings.
According to a team source, Shohei Ohtani will start Saturday’s decisive Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays, showcasing his talents as a two-way player. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed in a post-Game 6 press conference that every pitcher on the roster, except for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, would be available for this winner-take-all showdown. Yamamoto, who pitched 96 pitches in Friday’s 3-1 victory, delivered an impressive performance, going six innings while allowing just one run on five hits.
Although Roberts was somewhat vague about his choice for the starting pitcher, the selection of Ohtani was widely anticipated. As a starting pitcher, Ohtani has the unique advantage of being able to remain in the game as the designated hitter (DH) after he leaves the mound. However, if he enters the game as a reliever, the MLB two-way player rule would not apply, meaning he could only stay in the game if he switched positions, thereby forfeiting the DH.
The Toronto Blue Jays will counter with veteran pitcher Max Scherzer, a 41-year-old future Hall of Famer. With Ohtani on the mound, Game 7 is poised to be a remarkable event, drawing comparisons to some of the most memorable moments in World Series history.
Ohtani has maintained a commendable 3.50 ERA across three postseason starts for the Dodgers. Notably, he pitched six scoreless innings while striking out 10 batters against the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series. In contrast, during World Series Game 4, he allowed four earned runs over six innings while throwing 93 pitches. Despite the short rest, Ohtani's track record as a $700 million player speaks volumes about his capabilities.
The two-way superstar has been a captivating presence for the Dodgers this fall, boasting a remarkable 1.111 OPS in the playoffs and reaching base 15 times throughout the World Series. In Game 6, Ohtani went 1-for-3 with a walk and a double, showcasing his impact on the game. Although he has had quieter moments by his standards, including reaching base nine times and hitting two home runs in the grueling 18-inning Game 3, his influence cannot be understated.
It’s fitting that Ohtani will take the mound in such a crucial winner-take-all game against one of the great pitchers of his generation. For all of Ohtani’s accolades and the excitement he brings to the sport, he has never stepped onto a stage as grand as this. The stage is set for an unforgettable Game 7, and all eyes will be on Shohei Ohtani as he seeks to lead the Dodgers to victory.
