Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Shohei Ohtani will start Saturday’s game against the Giants, with right-hander Emmet Sheehan slated to follow in bulk. Game 2 of the three-game series marks Shohei Ohtani’s fifth and likely final pitching appearance before the All-Star break, and his first-ever start against the Giants as a Dodger. Righty Landen Roupp (6-5, 3.39 ERA) will take the mound for San Francisco.

How to watch Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants
Venue: Oracle Park — San Francisco
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET, Saturday
TV: MLB.TV (national), NBC Sports Bay Area (in market, Giants)
Streaming: Fubo (try for free)
Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub.

Ohtani returned to the mound June 16 after missing the 2024 season following surgery to repair a UCL tear. The Dodgers have eased him in carefully, with one-inning outings to start, followed by two-inning appearances in his last two. In his most recent start, Ohtani held the Astros scoreless over two innings, surrendering one hit and fanning three. As a hitter, he went 1-for-4 and drew a walk. Through four starts, he’s allowed just one run on four hits over six innings (1.50 ERA), with six strikeouts and one walk.

Ohtani, who was named the starting DH for the National League in the All-Star Game, enters Saturday leading the NL with 32 home runs, breaking Cody Bellinger’s previous franchise record for pre-break power. He ranks third in MLB with a .998 OPS and has swiped 12 bases. The dual-threat act hasn’t skipped a beat — including a five-RBI outburst against Washington in one of his four outings. So much for the idea that pitching cools his bat.

The series opened Friday, with San Francisco handing Los Angeles its seventh straight loss. But all eyes will be on Ohtani on Saturday when he tries to get the Dodgers back to their winning ways. The series will conclude Sunday afternoon.

Ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.

(Photo of Shohei Ohtani: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)