Shohei Ohtani is poised to make his World Series pitching debut in just five days. The Los Angeles Dodgers have outlined their starting rotation for the first four games against the Toronto Blue Jays, maintaining the same strategy they used in the National League Championship Series (NLCS). This plan allows Ohtani to take the mound in front of a home crowd during Game 4 at Dodger Stadium.
World Series Schedule and Probable Pitchers
Here is the schedule for the upcoming World Series, along with the Dodgers’ expected starters for the first four games:
- Game 1: Friday, Oct. 24, in Toronto – Blake Snell
- Game 2: Saturday, Oct. 25, in Toronto – Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- Game 3: Monday, Oct. 27, in Los Angeles – Tyler Glasnow
- Game 4: Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Los Angeles – Shohei Ohtani
- If necessary: Game 5 – Wednesday, Oct. 29, in Los Angeles
- If necessary: Game 6 – Friday, Oct. 31, in Toronto
- If necessary: Game 7 – Saturday, Nov. 1, in Toronto
Shohei Ohtani’s Journey
Ohtani has emerged as one of MLB’s premier two-way players. After an elbow surgery in 2023, he joined the Dodgers and spent the 2024 season primarily as a designated hitter. Last fall, he made his postseason and World Series debut, contributing significantly by achieving 10 postseason RBIs and hitting three home runs.
This season, after undergoing shoulder surgery and completing rehabilitation, Ohtani made his pitching return on June 16. He maintained a 2.87 ERA across 14 starts and 47 innings throughout the regular season. Ohtani debuted his postseason pitching in the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he allowed three hits and three runs over six innings while striking out nine batters.
His performance in Game 4 of the NLCS was outstanding, where he pitched three shutout innings and hit three home runs, securing a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. This achievement helped the Dodgers secure their spot in the World Series for the second year in a row.
Upcoming Matchup: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays
As the Dodgers prepare for the World Series, attention will also be on the Blue Jays’ starting pitcher. Trey Yesavage, a rookie who is 10 years younger than Snell, is set to make his World Series opener debut. He is the first rookie to start a World Series Game 1 since 2006.
The much-anticipated series will kick off on Friday night at 8 p.m. ET in Toronto, with both teams aiming for an impressive start.
