Shohei Ohtani is set to experience his first Major League Baseball postseason as he prepares for a best-of-five Division Series against the San Diego Padres. During a pre-game press conference, Ohtani expressed that his excitement outweighs any nerves he might feel. When asked if he has received any advice from others about being a postseason rookie, he chuckled and replied, “I haven’t received any advice! Just the usual teasing, ‘This is your first time!'”
For the past six seasons, Ohtani has played for the Los Angeles Angels, finishing with zero postseason experience. This year, he made a move to the rival Dodgers and has already helped lead the team to the National League West title and into the playoffs. He shared that his training schedule this week includes two simulated games to maintain the game-day feel.
Reflecting on his past Octobers, Ohtani recalled watching the Dodgers win the championship from somewhere in Seattle in 2020 and last year, he followed the playoffs from a hospital room. “I always felt frustrated,” he said. When asked if he feels nervous heading into his first postseason, Ohtani quickly answered, “No,” which prompted laughter from the reporters. “This is the stage I’ve always trained hard for and wanted to play on. I’m really eager to participate in the postseason, so right now, excitement is what I feel more than anything.”
Despite being a postseason rookie, Ohtani emphasized the importance of maintaining his regular routine during this time. When asked how he has spent his time off the field this week, he said, “I’ve been getting up a bit later than usual, having breakfast, and playing with my dog in the yard.”
One concern for the Dodgers is their pitching staff, particularly the starting pitchers who have been dealing with injuries and limited availability. Ohtani acknowledged, “After a long season, everyone is a bit tired. However, we’ve had the past week to recover. Now, finding that game rhythm is crucial. I believe as long as we step on the field and start moving, we are working hard towards our goals—that’s a shared feeling among us all.”
