LOS ANGELES — In a World Series already packed with drama, Monday night’s marathon classic between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays delivered something baseball hasn’t seen in generations. The Dodgers’ 6–5 win in 18 innings stretched deep into the night, and when the dust finally settled, it wasn’t the length of the game that owned the conversation — it was Shohei Ohtani.
Baseball’s most electrifying superstar authored one of the greatest postseason performances ever recorded, collecting two doubles, two towering home runs, and reaching base a postseason-record nine times. For Toronto, that was enough evidence to make one of the boldest decisions you’ll ever see in a Fall Classic: they are officially done pitching to him.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider didn’t dance around it after the loss. Standing at the podium, he spoke matter-of-factly. “He had a great game, he’s a great player, but I think after that, you just kind of take the bat out of his hands,” Schneider said. Asked directly whether walking Ohtani for the rest of the World Series was part of the plan, his reply was blunt: “Yeah.”
And on the field, that’s exactly what unfolded. After Ohtani’s game-tying blast in the seventh inning — a no-doubt rocket that sent Dodger Stadium into a frenzy — the Blue Jays intentionally walked him four times. One more walk came unintentionally. At that point, Toronto’s pitching strategy could not be more transparent: neutralize Ohtani by removing the bat from his hands entirely.
For fans, analysts, and former players, there was no need for further explanation. When one man single-handedly reshapes strategy at the highest level, it’s the ultimate mark of respect.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts echoed that sentiment. “He’s the best player on the planet,” Roberts said. “You just don’t see that type of behavior from opposing managers, and that’s just the ultimate sign of respect.”
Still, Schneider’s high-risk plan is not without complications. The Dodgers lineup behind Ohtani doesn’t exactly offer relief. Immediately following him are a pair of MVPs — Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman — and it was Freeman who ended this six-hour, 39-minute endurance test with a towering home run in the bottom of the 18th. It marked the first walk-off win in a World Series game since his grand slam ended Game 1 of last year’s Fall Classic.
“There are moments where you feel better about letting someone else beat you,” Schneider admitted afterward. “If that someone else is Mookie Betts or Freddie Freeman, it still stings.”
That dilemma is the heart of Toronto’s crisis. Walking Ohtani avoids one problem but immediately creates another. And unlike many powerhouse lineups of the past, these Dodgers are thriving on postseason depth, discipline, and momentum.
Adding fuel to the fire: Ohtani is not done. He will take the mound for Game 4, making his World Series pitching debut and giving Los Angeles a chance to push Toronto to the brink of elimination. Despite reaching base nine times, running the bases for hours, and shouldering immense pressure, Roberts insisted his two-way phenom would be ready.
“He’s spent,” Roberts said with a smile. “But he’s taking the mound tomorrow. He’ll be ready.”
Baseball fans need little reminder of what Ohtani is capable of when