“Thoroughly enjoyed it,” Shohei Ohtani talks about 2024 playoff ‘intensity’ as Dodgers secure 7-5 victory over Padres

Shohei Ohtani’s debut in postseason games started off with an absolute blast as he spoke about the Game 1 atmosphere following the Dodgers' 7-5 victory.

“Thoroughly enjoyed it,” Shohei Ohtani talks about 2024 playoff ‘intensity’ as Dodgers secure 7-5 victory over Padres

Shohei Ohtani (Image via San Diego Union-Tribune)

Saturday Los Angeles Dodgers secured a dazzling 7-5 victory in Game 1 of the playoffs, taking a 1-0 series lead in the NLDS. The victory was credited to their team’s star player Shohei Ohtani, who made his postseason debut in 2024.

However, it did not take time for the Japanese star to adjust to the bright lights as he boosted the team from a three-run deficit to a 3-run HR in the second inning. He blasted off the HR from none other than San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease in the Dodger Stadium.

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Many questioned the LA Dodgers 10-year $700 million contract but on Saturday, Shohei Ohtani proved his worth once again. He has in 2024, surpassed many records while setting his own personal score on the way.

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I could really feel the intensity of the stadium before the game began, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Shohei Ohtani on X.

Following Ohtani’s lead, Teoscar Hernandez hit a 2-run single in the fourth inning giving the team a boost against the Padres. He said that he’s going to follow Ohtani’s lead and try to perform at the highest level to keep up in the playoff games.

When asked whether Ohtani was nervous about his postseason debut, he confidently said, “Nope”, saying he’s been “practicing since I was small for this.” Rather than being nervous, he was looking forward to the postseason games.

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Dave Roberts in awe of Shohei Ohtani’s at-bat in Game 1

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was excited to see Shohei Ohtani once again come in clutch since the start of 2024. He spoke about how he’s “never seen a guy” perform this consistently and deliver high returns in every outing.

Dave Roberts and Shohei Ohtani [Image Credit: Imago]
Dave Roberts and Shohei Ohtani [Image Credit: Imago]

He further talked about how “unique” Ohtani is and how he wishes “other players had that ability.” Roberts further added how the Japanese star “feeds off” the energy at the stadium, especially in highly tense games which is yet another special quality in him.

It just got the momentum back for us and just gave us life. From pitch one, the fans were just engaged, were in it. I felt that energy and I think Shohei feeds off that. But that was just a huge hit.

Dave Roberts as per Jordan Mendoza of USA Today.

Ohtani’s HR also relieved his fellow teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto who gave up 5 runs in the first and second inning combined before getting pulled. Third baseman Max Muncy said Ohtani “injected an absolute lightning bolt into the stadium” with his home run.

His 3-run HR relieved a lot of his teammates and boosted confidence in them to further dig deeper into the Padres. The team eventually won the game with a 7-5 record. Ohtani exclaimed Game 1 was “pretty exciting” for his debut in the playoffs.

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