When the Dodgers last won the World Series in 2020, the championship was saved by the most unusual scenarios.
The final seven outs of the decisive Game 6 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays were thrown perfectly by a pitcher who had played only once in the bullpen that season.
Julio Urías was not a reliever, but the Dodgers were agile and smart and thanks to this bold decision the title was secured.
Let’s flash forward to October, when the Dodgers, if they find themselves in a similar position (and they likely will), will have to have the courage to make a similar maneuver.
Read more: Plaschke: Sho-Time is back! Ohtani dramatically swings his way into history
Who is this season’s saving pitcher?
Shohei Ohtani.
This could happen. This should happen. This is Hollywood and this is Ohtani, how cool would it be if it actually happened?
The Dodgers have said all summer that Ohtani will not pitch this season as he recovers from elbow surgery. That rehab should be complete soon, though, just in time for his team to play an inning where three outs are needed to win a series or a ring.
Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, ninth inning, they need someone to topple the Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper… why not Ohtani?
Game 7 of the World Series, ninth inning, they need someone to look at Juan Soto and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees… why not Ohtani?
First the medical report.
By the time the postseason rolls around, Ohtani should be ready to pitch competitively. He’s already pitching from the mound and is scheduled to face Dodgers hitters sometime in these final weeks of the season.
There aren’t enough opportunities to develop him into a starting pitcher, but barring a major setback, he should be physically capable of making the occasional three-out appearance in October.
Read more: Hernández: Is Shohei Ohtani ready for his first pennant race with the Dodgers?
Although he hasn’t been a reliever since his early years in Japan, the highlight of his career came out of the bullpen, when he struck out Mike Trout to secure the 2023 World Baseball Classic for Japan.
So if he can do it physically, and he’s already done it successfully, and given how badly he wants to win a championship, he’s definitely willing to do it… why wouldn’t we let him do it?
Wouldn’t you want to entrust your biggest moment to your best pitcher?
Would you really want to leave your $700 million investment in the bank to save him for the duration of his 10-year contract when you have a chance to win now?
There are countless reasons not to play Ohtani in the playoffs, but none are as important as the reason why you should.
He can give the Dodgers a parade.
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And boy, after 36 years without a regular season title or accompanying celebration, the most loyal fan base in baseball deserves a parade.
Not giving the team, the fans, and this city their best chance to win a title would be a dereliction of duty. Not picking up Ohtani when the situation presents itself and he is willing to take the ball would simply be wrong.
When confronted with the idea on Wednesday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted he couldn’t dismiss it entirely.
“I wouldn’t say no… I’m not going to close the door 100 percent,” he said.
However, he admitted that while it would be cool, it would also be tough.
“If I were writing a movie or a book, it would be a no-brainer that he comes out of rehab and throws the last pitch,” Roberts said. “The problem is, he hasn’t thrown a leverage pitch in over a year. If he were to come out and it goes wrong, it’s not worth the potential injury. You just can’t duplicate the stress of that one inning. I just don’t think it’s worth it.”
Baseball president Andrew Friedman declined to comment on the idea, saying it was too early to think about it.
“The issue is far from being our top priority,” he said. “He’s still in rehabilitation.”
The negative sides are clear.
Ohtani has nine years left on his contract, the value of which is based on his hitting and pitching skills. The Dodgers fear an arm injury that could end his pitching career, if only for three outs.
When Ohtani underwent his second elbow surgery last September, it was announced that he wouldn’t be able to play again until 2025. The Dodgers are wary of abruptly changing that timetable, especially because it would anger Ohtani’s overbearing agent, Nez Balelo.
Even though he only needs one inning to warm up and has only three outs on the mound, the Dodgers are concerned the sudden change in routine will affect his MVP quality.
Read more: ‘That’s what everyone wanted to see.’ How Shohei Ohtani fired up Mike Trout to win WBC
“I’d like to see what he did to Mike Trout to close out the Dodger World Series, but he’s been building up to that moment,” Roberts said, referring to the end of the WBC.
Indeed, any appearance on the mound for Ohtani would come with the utmost pressure and the least preparation, putting him in a position where he could fail spectacularly.
But he does have one thing.
He’s Shohei Ohtani!
Baseball crypts are literally full of dead arms of pitchers who had to compete outside their comfort zone in the playoffs.
But he has something they don’t have.
He’s Shohei Ohtani!
Any argument against using their baseball unicorn as relief can be dispelled with those same three words, a phrase that has come to symbolize magic, majesty and possibility this summer.
He’s Shohei Ohtani!
He can do anything. He can do this.
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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
