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The Los Angeles Dodgers treated Shohei Ohtani as carefully as possible after his return to the mound during the regular season, knowing they might need his arm for a heavier workload in the postseason.
That moment has arrived.
Ohtani, now fully stretched out as a starter, will start Game 7 of the World Series on short rest, giving the Dodgers a potentially lethal weapon for the early innings of MLB’s first winner-take-all World Series game in six years.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Ohtani will go deep into the game. Manager Dave Roberts said after Game 6 that the three-time MVP could last as little as two innings or even four or more, depending on how the start goes.
While it might ordinarily make sense to use a starter out of the bullpen on short rest in this scenario, Ohtani is starting at least partly so he can stay in the game as a designated hitter once his night on the mound is done. Had Ohtani entered as a reliever, the Dodgers would lose the DH and have to either play Ohtani in the outfield or remove him from the lineup entirely.
By using Ohtani as an opener, the Dodgers can keep his bat in the lineup regardless of how long it takes until they turn to the rest of their pitching staff.
The Sporting News is tracking live stats and highlights from Shohei Ohtani’s performance in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series. Follow for complete results for the Dodgers’ two-way star on the mound and at bat.
STREAM: Watch World Series Game 7 live with Fubo (U.S. only free trial)
Dodgers vs. Blue Jays score
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Shohei Ohtani stats today
Pitching
- Pitches: 18
- Balls: 8
- Strikes: 10
- Hits: 1
- Walks: 0
- Strikeouts: 2
- Runs: 0
- Earned Runs: 0
- Innings: 1.0
Hitting
- At-bats: 1
- Hits: 1
- Home runs: 0
- Walks: 0
- Strikeouts: 0
LIVE: Follow World Series Game 7 updates from Dodgers vs. Blue Jays
Shohei Ohtani live updates, highlights from Dodgers vs. Blue Jays Game 7
All times ET.
8:27 p.m. — Ohtani allows a leadoff single to George Springer but avoids any more trouble with strikeouts of Nathan Lukes and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Springer was caught bolting to second on what he initially believed was a Guerrero walk. Ohtani threw 18 pitches.
Shohei Ohtani strikes out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as George Springer gets caught at second base to end the inning 👀 pic.twitter.com/pziNRnWzFR
— MLB (@MLB) November 2, 2025
8:12 p.m. — Ohtani leads off with a single, so he is now 3-for-3 against Scherzer in this series.
8:02 p.m. — Before he takes the mound, Ohtani will step up to the plate against Max Scherzer. He tattooed Scherzer for a home run and double in Game 1.
7:40 p.m. — Here’s the lineup Ohtani will be facing tonight:
GAME SEVEN. #WANTITALL pic.twitter.com/ezFxAfinAq
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) November 1, 2025
MORE SHOHEI OHTANI NEWS:
Is Shohei Ohtani pitching tonight?
Ohtani is expected to make his fourth career postseason start as the Dodgers’ “opener” in Game 7 of the World Series after Tyler Glasnow was forced into Game 6 to close out the Blue Jays’ rally.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was non-committal about how long Ohtani will pitch tonight, adding “it could be two innings or it could be four innings.” Ohtani will be pitching on three days rest after starting Game 4. He threw 93 pitches with six hits, six strikeouts and four earned runs in the Dodgers’ 6-2 loss on Tuesday.
Where to watch World Series Game 7
Dodgers vs. Blue Jays start time
- Date: Saturday, Nov. 1
- Time: 8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT
Game 7 of the 2025 World Series will take place in Toronto on Saturday, Nov. 1. First pitch will be at just after 8 p.m. ET from Rogers Centre.
Dodgers vs. Blue Jays TV channel
- TV Channel (U.S.): Fox
- TV Channel (Canada): Sportsnet
- Live stream: Fox Sports app, Fubo (free trial)
Fox will continue to broadcast the World Series for the United States audience, with Joe Davis and John Smoltz in the booth. For Canadian viewers, Sportsnet will broadcast the game with Dan Shulman and Buck Martinez getting the nod.
Those looking for streaming options can use the Fox Sports app or Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.
