Shohei Ohtani Struggles in Critical World Series Game 7 Amid Dodgers' Postseason Tests

Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way superstar, had a difficult pitching outing in Game 7 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, allowing three runs on a crucial home run and struggling through 2.1 innings before being pulled from the mound. Despite his previous strong performances, including a historic 4-for-4 hitting display in Game 3, Ohtani's short rest between games and physical strain, including receiving IV treatment after Game 3, likely impacted his effectiveness. The Dodgers' decision to start him on short rest was questioned as Ohtani showed signs of fatigue and was unable to dominate Blue Jays hitters, who strategically pitched around him on offense. This performance contrasted with his offensive prowess, where he continued to be a key figure, but the pitching struggles in this decisive game contributed to the Dodgers trailing in the series. The Blue Jays capitalized on Ohtani's pitching vulnerabilities, with Bo Bichette’s third-inning home run proving pivotal. Overall, Ohtani's dual role remains central to the Dodgers' hopes, but his recent health and workload raise concerns about his ability to maintain peak performance in high-stakes games.