For the first time, the MLB World Series will see the Los Angeles Dodgers face the Toronto Blue Jays. The Dodgers have named their starting rotation for the first four games, maintaining the same four starters who swept the Brewers in the NLCS. Shohei Ohtani will pitch Game 4, and Roki Sasaki will close. Head coach Dave Roberts said that if the series goes to a Game 7, Ohtani could be brought in as a reliever.
Starting from the Wild Card round this year, the Dodgers have consecutively defeated the Reds, Phillies, and Brewers, boasting an impressive 10-1 record in the playoffs so far. They will begin their attempt to defend their World Series title on October 25 Beijing time, aiming to become the first team to repeat since the New York Yankees from 1998 to 2000.
The Blue Jays, as American League East champions, eliminated the Yankees 3-1 in the AL Division Series. Then, in the AL Championship Series against the Mariners, after losing the first two games, they evened the series and ultimately won two straight games from a 2-3 deficit to advance to the World Series.
The World Series is a best-of-seven format. In an exclusive ABEMA interview on the show "Good Morning Roberts," Dave Roberts revealed the starting pitcher assignments: Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani will start the first four games in that order.
Roberts explained that only Snell and Yamamoto can pitch again after five days of rest, and he hopes each can start twice in the series. Therefore, Snell is expected to start Games 1 and 5, while Yamamoto will take the mound in Games 2 and 6.
Regarding Ohtani’s pitching schedule, Roberts noted, "Ohtani prefers ample rest; he performs better after 7 to 9 days off, so we plan to have him start Game 4."
He further clarified that if the series reaches a seventh game, Ohtani might pitch out of the bullpen: "Although I don’t expect it to go that far, in such a scenario, there is a possibility of using Ohtani as a closer."
Under the current "Ohtani rule," a starting pitcher can continue as a designated hitter after leaving the mound, but if he enters as a reliever and then leaves, he must exit the game entirely. Roberts commented, "It’s a bit complicated, so we have to monitor the situation carefully. But Ohtani is ready for it."