When will Shohei Ohtani make his NL Championship Series pitching debut for the Dodgers?

Shohei Ohtani will make his first NL Championship Series mound appearance for the Dodgers in Game 4 on Friday.

Who will start Game 3 for the Dodgers instead of Ohtani?

Tyler Glasnow will start Game 3 for the Dodgers, while Ohtani is being lined up for a potential Game 7 relief appearance.

How has Ohtani's hitting been in the playoffs so far?

Ohtani has struggled at the plate in the playoffs, going just 1-for-18 with 9 strikeouts against the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS.

Home / Sports / Dodgers' Ohtani to Make NL Championship Series Debut in Game 4

Dodgers' Ohtani to Make NL Championship Series Debut in Game 4

15 Oct, 2025

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Summary

Ohtani's first NL Championship Series mound appearance for Dodgers delayed until Game 4
Tyler Glasnow to start Game 3, Ohtani lined up for potential Game 7 relief
Ohtani went 1-for-18 with 9 strikeouts against Philadelphia in NLDS

Dodgers' Ohtani to Make NL Championship Series Debut in Game 4

As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for the National League Championship Series, manager Dave Roberts has revealed that star player Shohei Ohtani will not make his first mound appearance until Game 4 on Friday. Instead, Tyler Glasnow will start Game 3 for the Dodgers.

Roberts explained that this decision was made to potentially line up Ohtani for a Game 7 relief appearance if needed. The three-time MVP made his postseason pitching debut on Oct. 4, allowing 3 runs over 6 innings in a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. However, Ohtani has struggled at the plate, going just 1-for-18 with 9 strikeouts in that series.

Despite Ohtani's hitting slump, Roberts emphasized that the delay in his pitching debut has nothing to do with that. The Dodgers are confident in Ohtani's abilities on the mound and are strategically managing his workload to maximize his impact throughout the playoffs.