Japanese superstar slugger Shohei Ohtani and starting pitcher Walker Buehler have overcome injuries to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers within a victory of their first World Series sweep since 1963.
Ohtani shrugged off a partially dislocated left shoulder to start as the Dodgers' leadoff batter while Buehler, who has twice undergone "Tommy John" ligament surgery, threw five shutout innings in a 4-2 Los Angeles triumph over the New York Yankees on Monday.
"For him to be able to play was a big thing for us," Buehler said of Ohtani's comeback from an injury suffered Saturday in a base stealing attempt.
"We feel confident. We feel good. We really like our team. Our team likes the bright lights."
No team has ever recovered from a 3-0 deficit to win Major League Baseball's best-of-seven championship spectacle.
In Ohtani's first playoff appearance after knowing only futility for six years with the Los Angeles Angels, the Dodgers could deliver a Hollywood-style ending by completing a title sweep on Broadway.
"It's just really focusing on winning the game tomorrow as a team, and there's nothing better than to be able to have the opportunity to do so," Ohtani said.
Designated hitter Ohtani went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout but scored a run despite the discomfort in his left shoulder.
"The pain has subsided, so I felt pretty good about it," Ohtani said.
"If it was more the right shoulder, then I think it would have impacted my swing. Thankfully, it was my left so I don't think it really did."
Ohtani said any decision regarding post-season surgery must wait until more testing after the World Series.
"I haven't had further conversations about the future plan. I think it's something that's going to happen after the season is over, do additional testing," Ohtani said.
"But in terms of how I feel now, I don't think so."
Ohtani was able to combat the cold of Yankee Stadium with a device that kept his shoulder warm on the recommendation of trainers.
"The reason why I was holding onto myself when I was running is to make sure that I wouldn't use that same shoulder arm if I were to slide," Ohtani said.
Buehler, who missed the entire 2023 season after arm surgery, went 1-6 and struggled in the 2024 campaign only to strike out six over four scoreless innings in game three of the National League Championship Series.
That set the stage for him to strike out five while allowing only two hits over five scoreless innings against the Yankees to earn the victory.
"I was awful all year and once you get in the playoffs -- the adrenaline, the momentum -- whatever fear I had about my elbow or trying to throw a certain pitch goes away because it's all now, it's all go," Buehler said.
"Long term, doing this for me is going to be huge."
