The Los Angeles Dodgers have strategically planned when Shohei Ohtani makes his pitching starts throughout the season, and their methodical approach was a factor in the decision-making process for probables against the San Francisco Giants.
When the Dodgers were on their last road trip, Ohtani was scratched from a scheduled start against the Pittsburgh Pirates because he was feeling under the weather. He was penciled in to face the Baltimore Orioles but the Dodgers then decided on holding Ohtani back until their homestand.
However, more change was required because of Tyler Glasnow getting scratched due to back tightness. Ohtani wound up filling in, still not fully recovered from a cold. Because of that, the Dodgers delayed his next start until facing the Philadelphia Phillies rather than at Oracle Park.
According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani’s next pitching start is scheduled to come Tuesday:
#Dodgers Dave Roberts said Shohei Ohtani will make his next pitching start on Tuesday at home against the Phillies
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 14, 2025
Once it became evident the Dodgers were holding Ohtani back, Monday appeared to be the most likely date for his start. It would have line up Ohtani to make another start on Sept. 21, which is notable given the Dodgers’ final off day of the regular season is Sept. 22.
During August, the Dodgers had Ohtani make three pitching starts the game before an off day to better maximize an opportunity to rest and recover. In the one case where a game followed his outing as a pitcher, the Dodgers held Ohtani out of the lineup on Aug. 21.
Shohei Ohtani runs record
Ohtani is up to 134 runs scored this season, which is tied for most in L.A. Dodgers franchise history. Ohtani scored that many last season as well, and figures to set a new Los Angeles record.
The all-time Dodgers record is 148 runs by Hub Collins for Brooklyn in 1890.
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