Who's Starting Game 1 For the Dodgers in the NLDS?

Sep 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) makes a pitching change during the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers will be starting Shohei Ohtani for Game 1 of the National League Divisional Series, per manager Dave Roberts.

Ohtani was set to pitch in Game 3 of the Dodgers' series against the Cincinnati Reds if needed, but the team managed to take care of business in just two games.

The two-way player delivered a two-home run performance in Game 1, fueling the Dodgers' offensive explosion.

He was quiet in Game 2 by his standards, but going 1-for-4 with an RBI proved to be all the Dodgers needed from him.

Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani will start Game 1 of the NLDS in Philadelphia on Saturday

— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) October 2, 2025

More news: Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Can't Believe Clayton Kershaw is Retiring

Ohtani began the season injured due to his ongoing recovery from a torn UCL he sustained in 2023 while with the Los Angeles Angels.

He did not pitch during the 2024 season, but Ohtani hit throughout the year, including in the playoffs, helping the Dodgers win the 2024 World Series.

He stepped back on the mound in June, starting with short outings of one inning before eventually working his way up to longer starts.

His last start on Sept. 23 was six innings, the longest since coming back to the mound this season. He threw more than 90 pitches in that outing, testing his limits for the postseason.

In the regular season, he pitched 47 innings over 14 outings. He posted a solid 2.87 ERA, allowed only nine free passes, and struck out 62 batters.

His performance looks better than ever, and when he is at his best, Ohtani can be an ace-level pitcher, all while swinging the bat with the best in baseball.

Who will the Philadelphia Phillies Start for Game 1 of the NLDS?

The Phillies will start left-handed pitcher Christopher Sanchez in Game 1 on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.

The southpaw was one of the best pitchers in the National League this season. He pitched 202 innings, posting a 2.50 ERA. He has been steady all season long, avoiding blown up starts.

He racked up 212 strikeouts with only 44 walks and 12 home runs allowed. Per Baseball Savant, he is in the 99th percentile in pitching run value, 89th percentile in expected ERA, 96th percentile in groundball rate, and 89th percentile in walk rate.

Sanchez avoids walks and possesses good stuff, all while limiting the number of flyballs. His biggest weakness this season was his average exit velocity, which ranked 57th percentile, and his hard-hit percentage, which was 56th percentile.

With Ohtani and Sanchez locking horns, it will be a pitcher's duel on Saturday for the first half of the encounter.

For more Dodgers news, head over to Dodgers on SI.