Ohtani is getting his first chance on the October playoff stage with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who open the National League Division Series on Saturday against the rival San Diego Padres. He spent the last six years with the Los Angeles Angels, who never had a winning record or made the postseason during his tenure.

Heading into the postseason, the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani needed to make a decision on whether or not the two-way star would take his rehab process to the next level by facing live hitters.