The Hero of Game 1 — that’s what everyone at the Roger Stadium called him after his 413-foot grand slam in Game 1 of the 2025 World Series. Well, you know it’s Addison Barger! With October glory deadlocked at 2-2, things are getting even more interesting. Amid the back-and-forth of the Fall Classic, an update surfaced that raises the stakes even higher: the 25-year-old could pose a meaningful threat to Shohei Ohtani’s two-way dominance.

Shohei Ohtani stands alone in this era as baseball’s true two-way superstar. The Dodgers star has mastered both crafts in ways that seemed impossible. He hit 55 home runs with a .282 batting average and a 1.014 OPS, leading the National League. On the mound, he posted a 2.87 ERA across 14 starts, striking out 62 batters in 47 innings. He became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and record 50 strikeouts as a pitcher in a single season, cementing his status as baseball’s modern unicorn in the regular season.

But now comes an intriguing twist.

According to a post on X by BBWAA member Brandon Wile, Barger told MLB Network, “that he thinks he could throw 100 mph off the mound.” More than that, Barger is actively campaigning for his chance. “I tell them all the time, when you need a position player to come in, put me in,” Barger said. “I’m letting it eat.” Interesting.

This isn’t just postgame hype. In Game 3, Barger put on a defensive clinic, showing off a cannon of an arm. When Freddie Freeman tried to score from second, Barger fired a 98.5 mph throw from right field that nailed him at the plate with ease.

Barger’s breakout 2025 season has been remarkable. After struggling through his rookie year in 2024 with a .197 average, he bounced back with a .243 batting average, 21 home runs, and a .756 OPS across 135 games. His performance has been even more impressive in October, posting a .300 average with three home runs and a .953 OPS in 45 plate appearances.

Here’s where it gets interesting — Barger has never pitched professionally, not even in the minors or extended spring training. Yet that 98.5 mph throw has everyone talking. If Toronto’s coaches ever give him a shot on the mound, baseball might just see the rise of another two-way threat.

Shohei Ohtani proved that a pitcher-turned-hitter can rewrite the rules of the game. Could Barger follow in his footsteps, even on a smaller scale? Only time will tell.

Still, Barger’s confidence raises a key question — does he truly grasp what being a two-way player demands?

We’ve seen how carefully Shohei Ohtani’s workload is managed. After pitching in Game 4, he won’t take the mound again until next summer. That alone shows why so few players can sustain what Barger is hinting at.

So, what’s next in Roberts’ plan book after Ohtani for Game 5?

After Ohtani’s start, LA hands the ball to Blake Snell

The Los Angeles Dodgers are ready for Game 5 with a definite plan for their pitchers. Dave Roberts, the manager, has faith that left-hander Blake Snell will get back to his old self after a rough start in Game 1 of the 2025 World Series. Before the Fall Classic, Snell’s postseason ERA was an amazing 0.86. However, in Game 1, he gave up five earned runs on eight hits.

The bullpen is set up to follow Snell’s lead and save their arms for the end of the season. The Dodgers will depend on their depth and flexibility because they know that the Toronto Blue Jays will want to make them make mistakes and keep the pressure on. The plan is simple: get early outs, rely on the late-inning bullpen group, and keep things interesting.

In Game 4, the Dodgers used Shohei Ohtani, a two-way superstar, as a pitcher and a hitter. He pitched six innings, gave up four earned runs on six hits, struck out six batters, and walked one. He went to the plate twice and struck out twice, and walked once.

The Dodgers want Snell to pitch most of the innings before handing the ball to the bullpen. This move back to a regular starter shows that. Roberts set the tone by saying, “(We) expect Blake Snell to be better than he was in Game 1.”

The Dodgers are in a very important game right now, and the pressure is on: Snell needs to do well for the Dodgers to keep their momentum going.