Ohtani to open for Dodgers in World Series deciding Game 7

TORONTO, Canada — Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani will be the Los Angeles Dodgers' starting pitcher when they take on the Toronto Blue Jays in the decisive World Series game seven on Saturday (Sunday, Manila time). 

The Dodgers confirmed the decision the same day, after manager Dave Roberts told reporters after the club's series-extending game six victory that every pitcher on the roster except Yoshinobu Yamamoto would be available for the do-or-die clash.

Ohtani pitched six innings and threw 93 pitches in a game four defeat and will be taking the mound on three days' rest for the first time since 2023.

"This is game seven, so there's a lot of things that people haven't done, and you've just got to trust your players and try to win a baseball game," Roberts said.

Factoring into the decision is Major League Baseball's two-way rule.

If Ohtani starts on the mound he can continue in the designated hitter role when his pitching stint is done, but if he comes in out of the bullpen and exited before the game ended he would be unable to continue in the game -- unless he were inserted into the outfield.

The Blue Jays will send three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer to the mound.

Scherzer started the last World Series game seven for Washington when the Nationals vanquished the Houston Astros.