Dodgers Line Up Superstar to Come Out of the Bullpen Later in NLCS

The Los Angeles Dodgers just revealed their starting rotation for the rest of the National League Championship Series, with right-hander Tyler Glasnow now pitching Game Three, and Shohei Ohtani starting Game Four. Originally, the order was reversed. Why is this important? The Dodgers are leaving open the possibility that Ohtani would be able to pitch out of the bullpen in a deciding Game Seven, should the series go that long, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

Shohei Ohtani will remain in his current role as a starting pitcher in the NLDS and will not come out of the bullpen. — Jun 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two‑way player Shohei Ohtani (17) pitches the ball during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Tyler Glasnow to Start Game Three, Shohei Ohtani Game Four for Dodgers

It wasn’t that surprising of one.

This way, Tyler Glasnow would be able to start a potential Game 7 on regular rest with Shohei Ohtani potentially available in relief. https://t.co/EVTmkT3GBD

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) October 14, 2025

Filling in the Blanks

Presumably, Blake Snell will start Game Five, while Tuesday’s starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be on the mound for Game Six. The Dodgers’ starting rotation has been the best in baseball since August 1st. They have carried the team in the postseason as well. Last night was the latest example. Snell, who calls his own pitches, hurled eight shutout innings, facing the minimum in that interval. He is the first pitcher to do that in the postseason since Don Larsen in 1956.

In Case of Emergency

In the past, Los Angeles has been repeatedly asked if they would use Ohtani out of the bullpen. The answer has always been an emphatic “No.” In fact, the Dodgers have been very careful with the mileage they put on his arm. It appears that if the Dodgers were on the brink of elimination, exceptions could be made. The bullpen, after all, has been struggling to get outs in the second half of the season. Their collective ERA is above four. Last night, the only rally the Milwaukee Brewers could muster was against Roki Sasaki, previously untouchable in the closer role, in the ninth inning.

The Caveat

If Ohtani were to come in from the bullpen in a deciding game, the Dodgers would lose the benefit of the designated hitter, so they must act accordingly. In a perfect world, they would rather avoid a Game Seven and make the Ohtani contingency plan moot.

Main Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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