The Los Angeles Dodgers have confirmed that Shohei Ohtani will start his fifth and final pitching appearance of the first half this Saturday against the San Francisco Giants. Manager Dave Roberts said that the two-way superstar will start at Oracle Park, with the game beginning at 1:05 p.m. PT. This is rocket fuel for Dodgers fans who have been dreaming about this moment since Ohtani has made an increasingly limited but impactful return to pitching for much of the summer during a recovery from Tommy John surgery.
Shohei Ohtani’s pitching numbers highlight rare two way dominance
Shohei Ohtani is the most efficient pitcher in baseball in his limited time on the mound this season. In four pitching appearances, he has allowed one earned run on four hits over six innings, with an impressive 1.50 ERA. In such a limited time, he has displayed elite command and control, striking out six batters and issuing just one walk. Since returning from Tommy John surgery, his starts have come mostly in quick-reliever portions or as openers by design, a plan from the Dodgers in an attempt to gradually bring him back into pitching.Manager Dave Roberts has been conservative but hopeful about Shohei Ohtani’s usage. The start on Saturday is a deliberate last outing before the All-Star break, giving the club time to see how his arm feels without jeopardizing the greater goal of several years ahead. Ohtani, even in short doses, has given the Dodgers much-needed flexibility and firepower as they deal with multiple injuries to their rotation.
Historic power surge adds to Shohei Ohtani’s MVP-level first half
Ohtani has only pitched much in four games so far, but has already produced at the plate. The star of the Dodgers has 31 home runs, leading the National League and already making a new record for home runs for the franchise before the All-Star break. Heading into Wednesday’s slate, his rank is third in all of Major League Baseball behind Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh with a .998 OPS.Also Read: Shohei Ohtani mom Kayoko Ohtani triggers massive debat after rejecting son’s $700 million supportHis dual-threat skills have made him an early MVP candidate and given the Dodgers a foundation for their success in the first half of 2025. Ohtani will also be the designated hitter for the National League in the All-Star break ahead, but no pitching role has been determined for the midsummer matchup. In any case, his start against the Giants on Saturday evening will conclude an incredible first half of a season that continues to demonstrate the reason the game still considers him among the absolute best and most appealing gifts in the game.