Japanese Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani once expressed his attitude to high-pressure situations, demonstrating that this is when he does best.
It is an honor to feel the pressure, because that means there are high expectations.
With this philosophy, Ohtani shows that behind his appearances in the batter’s box, there is a master plan that is managed off the diamond and could soon explode in favor of the reigning Major League Baseball champions.
Behind closed doors, Ohtani is not preparing for April games, the All-Star Game or the end of the regular season.
The master plan of the Dodgers and Ohtani
Ohanti’s plan is long-term and aimed at the games played in September and October, when victories matter most.
Ken Rosenthal, one of MLB’s most valuable analysts, has just confirmed what many were beginning to suspect: the Dodgers are being “intentionally deliberate” with Shohei Ohtani’s return as a pitcher.
We all know this is not just any rehab story, but there is something much deeper, something that goes beyond a bullpen session or his first start on the mound.
“The goal: to prepare Ohtani for the postseason,” Rosenthal said, a phrase that changes everything.
A well-calculated plan
Ohtani hasn’t pitched in the bullpen since Feb. 25, but that’s not a delay, it’s a calculated decision.
The Dodgers could easily pressure him, they have the resources, the medical team and the unwavering support of the fans. But they are not taking the bait.
Los Angeles are betting their chips on a single square: October, for the simple reason that they are going for a championship, which would be the first in the long history of the franchise that was born in Brooklyn and now plays in Southern California.
What backs up this deliberate patience is what Ohtani is doing without touching the mound. Just a few days ago, he hit a game-winning home run against the Braves, leaving his manager Dave Roberts almost speechless.
“You feel like he’s going to do something special,” Roberts said. “He’s in the attack zone and when he does, there’s just no one better.”
That’s not advertising. It’s a manager watching a superstar dominate, and knowing he hasn’t unleashed his full arsenal yet.
The Dodgers are making sure of time on the mound because they are already exploiting the bat. Ohtani’s discipline at the plate has been elite: he doesn’t press, he doesn’t chase or penalize mistakes. It’s not just a luxury. It’s part of the plan. Keep the bat on, take care of the arm and when the lights shine in October, it will shine brighter than ever.
The Dodgers are reshaping their unicorn management strategy, and they’re doing it with their eyes set on one prize: the aforementioned back-to-back championship.
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