Dodgers News: Ohtani and Sasaki Combine for Postseason History in NLDS Game One

PHILADELPHIA, PA—Game One of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies was massive for both squads, but particularly the Dodgers, since they came away with the late comeback win to go up 1-0 in the series. 

However, it was a big day for Major League Baseball as the postseason continued throughout the league, and two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani made his first postseason start on the mound.

The Dodgers’ two-way star managed to throw six quality innings, allowing just three runs while collecting nine punchouts, before handing the ball to right-hander Tyler Glasnow and the rest of the Dodgers’ bullpen.

Ohtani and Sasaki made history in MLB by becoming the second Japanese-born pitcher duo to both secure a win and a save in the same postseason game.

Overall, the Dodgers are only the second team in MLB postseason history to have a win and a save from Japanese-born pitchers in the same game.

They joined the Boston Red Sox, the team where Junichi Tazawa and Koji Uehara also played during Game Six of the 2013 American League Championship Series. Tazawa, a reliever, earned the win after retiring his only batter in the seventh inning.

Ohtani made further MLB history against the Phillies by becoming the first player to start at least one game as a pitcher and at least one game as a non-pitcher in the same postseason.

“It’s certainly never been done, certainly at this level,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Game 1 of the NLDS. “I think it just really speaks to, I use the word compartmentalize a lot. But this epitomizes compartmentalizing. He’s essentially two people in one night, in one game.

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