Shohei Ohtani's first Dodgers season is set to continue with a postseason matchup against the Padres.
Saturday brings Game 1 of the NLDS between the NL East rivals. While Ohtani is in his seventh season in the majors, this will be his first ever postseason appearance after failing to make the playoffs in six years with the Angels.
It is rare for a player in any sport to have two MVPs before even playing in a playoff game, but that is the case for Ohtani.
MORE: MLB playoff bracket 2024: Full schedule, TV channels, scores
How old is Shohei Ohtani?
Ohtani was born on July 5, 1994, in Oshu, Iwate, Japan, so his 30th birthday came in his first year with the Dodgers.
The two-way star first began playing professionally in the NPB as an 18-year-old in 2013 for the Nippon Ham Fighters. During that first stretch of professional baseball, Ohtani hit 48 home runs in 43 games while pitching to a 2.52 ERA in 85 pitching appearances.
After five years in Japan, Ohtani made the jump to MLB by signing a six-year deal with the Angels in 2017 as a 23-year-old. Ohtani spent six seasons with the Angels, winning two MVPs, but left the team once he hit free agency
Ohtani officially signed a 10-year, $700, million deal with the Dodgers last December, meaning he is committed to Los Angeles through his age-40 season.
SN's MLB HQ: Live MLB scores | Updated MLB standings | Full MLB schedule
Shohei Ohtani stats 2024
Ohtani made history this season, becoming the first player to ever hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season, as he totaled 54 home runs and 59 steals. Those numbers were also career highs for Ohtani, as he previously topped at 46 home runs and 26 stolen bases, both coming in 2021.
The Dodgers' star hasn't pitched this year as he recovers from elbow surgery to repair his UCL during the offseason. By not pitching, Ohtani acted more aggressively on the basepaths, trailing just Elly De La Cruz for most steals in baseball this year.
