Shohei Ohtani’s return as a two-way player this season has been spectacular. While going 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA on the mound, the reigning NL MVP became the first major leaguer to combine 50 home runs with 50 pitching strikeouts in a single season. Recently, Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts evaluated his performance in 2025. By now, the Dodgers have gained enough experience managing his dual duties. From what they’ve learned, they will implement accordingly in the postseason.

As a hitter, the Japanese phenom batted. 282 with 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, and 146 runs scored with a 1.014 OPS. He appeared in 14 games as a pitcher and finished with a 1-1 record and a 2.87 ERA. When Roberts broke down his performance, it highlighted Shohei Ohtani’s contrasting personas on the field.

In fact, it reflected the Jekyll-and-Hyde analogy. “I think batters and pitchers have different ways of thinking. That’s why Shohei has different personalities as a pitcher and a batter.” Dave Roberts said. Ohtani unleashes his fierce Hyde side while pitching, and when at the plate, his composed and calculated Jekyll side can be seen.

“When he’s a pitcher, he’s aggressive and dominant. He decides which ball to throw. When he’s a batter, he’s the one who reacts. He has to respond to the pitcher. I think Shohei is very aggressive when he’s a pitcher. On the other hand, when he’s a batter, he’s more calm and is prepared to respond to anything.” Roberts added. It’s intriguing to Roberts how Ohtani can maintain consistent results as a two-way player even when opponents often come up with countermeasures.

The Dodgers didn’t even have a 50-homer season in franchise history before Shohei Ohtani achieved one for the first time last season. And on Sunday at T-Mobile Park, he crushed his 55th home run in the seventh inning against the Mariners in the Dodgers’ 6-1 win in the final regular-season game.

Until now, the Dodgers have been careful about his usage. All along, they tried to make him pitch before the scheduled off days so that he would get time to rest and recover accordingly. And now, we’re yet to know his postseason role and how the Dodgers make the most of him.

Shohei Ohtani will likely not start Game 1 or 2 of the WCS as a pitcher

Right after Los Angeles’ sweep over the Mariners in Seattle, manager Dave Roberts made a revelation. Turns out, it’s close to becoming official, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, that Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be the starters for the first two games of the Wild Card game against the Cincinnati Reds.

The two-way marvel Shohei Ohtani concluded his 2025 season on a high note. He broke the Dodgers’ franchise record for the most home runs in a single season. It’s highly uncertain if the Dodgers will let Shohei Ohtani take over the mound for LA in the first two games. However, he’s scheduled to be the Game 3 starter if the Dodgers fail to sweep the Reds.

Given the report, it seems the Dodgers will be using Snell and Yamamoto for the first two games. While Snell has posted a 2.35 ERA in 61.1 innings of work, Yamamoto has held a 2.49 ERA across 173.2 innings pitched this season. This time, Clayton Kershaw, who recently announced his retirement after this season, will not be in the wild-card roster.

But the Dodgers star is still expected to appear in the postseason, likely as a reliever with Roki Sasaki. As for NL MVP contender Shohei Ohtani, he might not be starting in the first two games of the WS. But he will still be in the lineup as the Dodgers’ designated hitter.