by Mark Langill
On the morning after the marathon, both the Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays staggered back to Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers’ 6–5 victory in Game 3 on Freddie Freeman’s walk-off home run in the 18th inning did not end the World Series.
When the endurance test of 6 hours and 39 minutes finally ended, the Dodgers emerged with a 2–1 series lead.
Now all eyes will be on their Superman.
Does Shohei Ohtani, who became the first player in history to reach base safely nine times in one postseason game, have anything left in the gas tank for his Game 4 pitching assignment on Tuesday?
Ohtani was bothered by leg cramps late on Monday while going 4-for-4 with two solo home runs, two doubles, three runs scored and five walks.
In his last start, Ohtani hit three home runs and struck out 10 batters in six scoreless innings of the Dodgers’ 5–1 pennant-clinching victory against the Milwaukee Brewers on Oct. 17 in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series.
Of course, it’s hard to remember sometimes that Ohtani is not a wind-up toy, although the reigning National League MVP and 2025 NLCS MVP seems to exceed great expectations.
“I think it’s one of those we’re just going to read and react,” manager Dave Roberts said of Ohtani’s Game 4 pitching assignment. “No expectations, just kind of see how he feels, how he looks, and then go from there. Obviously, last night was taxing on both clubs’ pens, but it’s kind of an all-hands-on-deck situation. You kind of figure out who is available and who feels good enough to pitch tonight.”
Roberts said it’s hard to describe the mental and physical challenges that Ohtani faces as a 50-plus home run hitter and elite pitcher.
“Yeah, I don’t have a good answer,” Roberts said. “I can try in the sense that you’re talking about two people — I guess two people in one who have to realize crazy expectations, probably unattainable for a person, to be in one. And then to kind of have the body and mind work together to perform at the highest level with all eyes on him. I just don’t think there’s a comparable if you’re talking about one human being.”
Roberts said he texted Will Smith Tuesday morning and checked on the health of his catcher, who was behind the plate for all 18 innings.
Smith said he was good to go.
On the other side, one prominent player is not in the lineup. George Springer, who left the game in the seventh inning due to a right side injury, is out. Bo Bichette, who missed the American League Division and Championship Series with a left knee sprain, moves from the infield to designated hitter.
2025 World Series: Dodgers refreshed after 18-inning marathon victory was originally published in Dodger Insider on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.