UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events on September 26, 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a devastating 9-6 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, despite a stellar performance from Shohei Ohtani. The two-way star dazzled on the mound, throwing five no-hit innings and achieving his 50th home run in consecutive seasons, but the Dodgers’ bullpen faltered, raising urgent questions about their postseason readiness.
Ohtani, who pitched for the first time in 11 days, made a powerful statement with just 68 pitches, striking out five and allowing only one baserunner—a walk to Bryce Harper. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts opted to pull Ohtani after five innings, a decision that proved costly as rookie left-hander Justin Wrobleski inherited a 4-0 lead and immediately surrendered it to the Phillies.
Roberts, seeking to protect Ohtani’s health in light of his recent elbow surgery, explained, “He wasn’t gonna go back out… He’s too important. If something does happen, then that’s on me.” The decision to limit Ohtani to five innings is part of a plan that has been in place all season, but the immediate fallout was catastrophic. Wrobleski allowed five runs in the sixth inning, turning a comfortable lead into a tense deficit.
“Sometimes you look back and try to understand what’s going on… I know it’s frustrating to the fans,” said Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen, who later surrendered a game-winning three-run homer to backup catcher Rafael Marchan. This marked yet another instance of the Dodgers’ bullpen failing to deliver, a trend that is becoming increasingly alarming as the postseason approaches.
Ohtani’s impressive performance was a lone bright spot in a night filled with disappointment. His majestic 430-foot home run in the eighth inning not only tied the game but also marked a historic milestone—making him the first player since Alex Rodriguez in 2002 to hit 50 home runs in consecutive seasons. Yet, the excitement was short-lived as Treinen’s struggles culminated in a heart-wrenching loss for the Dodgers.
With only two games separating the Dodgers from the San Diego Padres in the NL West, the team is feeling the pressure as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. The bullpen, a critical component of their championship run last year, is now a significant concern. Roberts acknowledged, “We hope to make up for it with a deep rotation that stretches to six members,” as they prepare for October.
The Dodgers’ path forward remains uncertain. As Ohtani continues to be a pivotal player in their strategy, his usage will be carefully monitored. Roberts stated, “If there are conversations of the powers that be, and Shohei included… that’s a different conversation.” Fans are left anxiously awaiting how this will unfold in the coming games.
This latest loss not only raises questions about the bullpen’s reliability but also highlights the extraordinary talent of Ohtani, who continues to defy expectations on the field. As the Dodgers strive for a successful postseason, all eyes will be on their ability to regroup and strengthen their pitching strategy.
