Game 7 Overview

In a thrilling Game 7 of the World Series, we’ll see some of the top athletes showcasing their unique two-way talents.

Earlier today, Joel Sherman reported that the Dodgers plan to have Shohei Ohtani start this crucial matchup, and the team has now confirmed it.

Ohtani will face off against veteran pitcher Max Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer, who is 41 years old.

After pitching in Game 4 and taking a brief rest, Ohtani is set to start. Major League Baseball rules favor this approach. If he were to come out of the bullpen instead and didn’t finish the game, it would result in the loss of a designated hitter.

Starting as a pitcher will allow Ohtani to remain as the Dodgers’ designated hitter, enabling him to keep batting, regardless of his innings pitched.

In his previous start against the Blue Jays, Ohtani struggled, giving up six hits and four runs, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting a decisive two-run homer in the third inning—marking Ohtani’s first postseason home run allowed this year.

On the offensive front, Ohtani has been impressive overall, boasting a .318 average and a 1.364 OPS in the World Series. Much of this success stemmed from his outstanding 4-for-4 performance during the marathon Game 3. However, since then, he’s only managed one hit in ten at-bats, although he did contribute a double in the exciting Game 6 win.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jays will send Scherzer to the mound. In his previous appearance during Game 3, he allowed three runs. Scherzer was particularly memorable in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Mariners, battling through to the fifth inning and securing a vital victory.

Historically, Scherzer last started Game 7 of the World Series in 2019 with the Nationals, allowing two runs over five innings and playing a crucial role in securing their first championship.