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.

It's always been my childhood dream to be able to be in an important situation, to play in important games,” Ohtani said.

Consider two points of reference. The first is the 2023 World Baseball Classic, the closest thing Ohtani has experienced to the postseason. In 33 plate appearances, Ohtani batted .435 with a 1.345 OPS. He also produced a 1.86 ERA in 9 2/3 innings, concluding the tournament in dramatic fashion by striking out Mike Trout.

Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani makes his Major League Baseball playoff debut on Saturday as the Los Angeles Dodgers launch their post-season campaign against the San Diego Padres.

Superstars do not often feel truly transcendent until they step under the brightest spotlight their respective industries have to offer. The embers of Stone Cold Steve Austin’s molten-hot popularity first sparked at WrestleMania 13 versus Brett Hart and later exploded in his showdown with The Rock a few years later.

Shohei Ohtani will finally make his MLB playoff debut. If he is experiencing any pregame jitters, he certainly isn’t showing it publicly. Ohtani met with the media Friday one day before the Dodgers open their playoff run against the San Diego Padres.