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Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani heard boos from the Toronto Blue Jays faithful when he stepped into the batter’s box at the Rogers Center to start Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday night, but he ended up making history.
Ohtani singled off Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer to start the game, silencing the crowd for a brief moment. He became the first World Series starting pitcher to record a hit while starting Game 7.
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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is safe at second on a ball hit by Will Smith against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of Game 7 of baseball’s World Series, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
The last time a pitcher recorded a hit while starting a Game 7 in the World Series was in 1975, when Cincinnati Reds star Don Gullet and Boston Red Sox starter Bill Lee recorded hits.
If he gets another hit, he will be the first starting pitcher ever to accomplish that feat.
Scherzer settled down and was able to settle down and retire Will Smith, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts after the single.
Ohtani managed to get to third but failed to score.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) delivers against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of Game 7 of baseball’s World Series in Toronto, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
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The Dodgers star was also on the mound on three days’ rest as Los Angeles hoped for a Hollywood finish despite a unique rule that could have prevented him from picking up the bat and taking the mound in the same game.
MLB instituted a rule that if a starting pitcher was in the batting lineup, he could continue to hit despite being taken from the mound—a rule that allows Ohtani to remain in the game when removed as a starter.
However, if Ohtani started the game as the team’s designated hitter and later entered in relief, they would risk losing his powerful bat in the lineup upon his exit as a pitcher.
The only way Ohtani could stay in the game after being used as a relief pitcher would be to pitch, something he hasn’t done often in his career. The three-time MVP has pitched just 8 1/3 innings in his career and hasn’t done so since 2021.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani greets teammates in the bullpen prior to Game 7 of baseball’s World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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With all of this in mind, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts started Ohtani on the mound, ensuring they can keep his bat in the game no matter how long he pitches. It’s not clear how deep Ohtani will throw himself into the game.
