WATCH: Shohei Ohtani blasts first career playoff homer, ties Game 1 in thrilling Dodgers-Padres NLDS
In just his second at-bat of his maiden postseason appearance, Shohei Ohtani let the world know what to expect this October. The LA Dodgers were under the pump from the start against the San Diego Padres in the NLDS series opener. Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave up three runs in the first inning.
Responding, the bottom order of the Dodgers lineup made sure they brought in Ohtani on the plate again in the second inning with Dylan Cease under the pump with two men on bases.
Shohei Ohtani belted a 97-mph home run from Cease to the right field for a three-run home run as the Dodgers tied the game 3-3. It was a 372 ft. dinger which came off the bat at 112 mph exit velocity.
Interestingly, just a pitch before Shohei Ohtani took a pitch on his knee. Most of the time, there are no emotions from the Japanese slugger on the field but when he struck that sky-high home run, emotions were quite visible and Dodgers fans got behind him.
Shohei Ohtani is excited for his maiden October baseball experience
On the eve of the matchup, Shohei Ohtani addressed the media who asked the two-way star his feelings as he'll first time grace the October field despite him being in the majors for over six years.
“I think the excitement of that is greater than anything else that I could possibly feel,” he said Friday through an interpreter.
Ohtani spent the first six years of his major league career with the Los Angeles Angels, who never made the postseason during his tenure.
“I'm doing the best I can to make sure that my first at-bat is really good,” Ohtani added. “This week we did spend time just to make sure that we were taking care of our body with the accumulation of the season, and I think we were able to get some of the kinks out of the way.”
The Dodgers are expecting a big season off Shohei Ohtani, who can change the franchise's fortunes. Despite boasting one of the best talents over the past seven years, the Dodgers have only been able to win the World Series once (in 2020).