NL DIVISION SERIES: PADRES VS DODGERS

October 4, 2024

Shohei Ohtani

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles Dodgers

Workout Day Press Conference

Q. You've obviously been in big games in big situations but this is going to be your first MLB postseason. When you think about just your experience, whether it's World Baseball Classic, how do you think that's allowed just preparing you for the stage of tomorrow and the stage of this month?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I do think that the postseason is going to be different from the World Baseball Classic considering that we did have a week off. So I'm doing the best I can to make sure that my first at-bat is really good.

Q. What did this week look like for you specifically?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I came to the ballpark every day. I just moved my body around, did some sim games and took roughly two at-bats per day to make sure that I'm game-ready.

Q. Are you nervous at all for just playing in the postseason for the first time?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Nope.

Q. With Freddie battling an injury and the pitching where it's at, how much responsibility do you feel to make sure that the offense produces at the level you might need to be successful here?

SHOHEI OHTANI: 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.

And the most important part is just making sure that we're getting live at-bats and that we're ready to play and basically hit off live pitching.

Q. Obviously you were not here the last two years for the playoff disappointment that your teammates went through. Have you noticed a different vibe in the clubhouse now that the regular season is over heading into this playoff series?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I'm sure there's bigger hype and excitement playing against a division rival. I think today is going to be a really important day as a team to make sure that we're just preparing the best that we can to play tomorrow.

Q. Why do you think you're not nervous? Is there anything that you've done before big games or big moments in your career that maybe helps you not really feel the nerves of something that would probably make other people nervous?

SHOHEI OHTANI: It's always been my childhood dream to be able to be in an important situation, to play in important games. So I think the excitement of that is greater than anything else that I could possibly feel.

Q. Are there any memories that you really have watching postseasons the last couple of years or growing up that really stand out in your mind that maybe obviously made you want to sort of be in those moments?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I do remember watching the Dodgers win the World Series. And at that time I was in Seattle working out.

I do remember watching postseason games after coming out of the surgery. Overall, it's just really a mixed, complicated feeling not being able to participate in the postseason.

Q. Have any of the guys or any of the teammates in the clubhouse given you advice on kind of the flow of the postseason, how things go, especially with the few days off before starting the series?

SHOHEI OHTANI: No specific advice. It's just really my teammates know that it's my first time so they're kind of getting to me about that.

Q. When we talked to you in Miami before 50/50 you said that your swing didn't quite feel right yet. What was going on then and what got you right with your swing?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I think overall, the second half of the regular season, if I look back at it, it's been pretty good overall. And I'm just focused on remembering those good feelings that I have when I'm playing well. And the plan is to make sure that I do have those feelings going to the plate this postseason.

Q. You've dealt with a lot of outside expectations and pressures basically your whole life. How have you been able to navigate that in the past? And how difficult is it to kind of have all those expectations on you?

SHOHEI OHTANI: I've had challenges in the past, like getting the surgery. And over the years obviously the doctors, staff, surgeons, I'm very thankful for the people who supported me over the years.

And really I just want to return the favor by making sure that I'm enjoying and focusing on the game.

Q. Could you talk a little bit about what Yu Darvish has meant to Japanese baseball in general, maybe to you and also perhaps the first time you met him?

SHOHEI OHTANI: Darvish has been my childhood hero. He's somebody that I've seen him play in Japan and obviously in Major League Baseball.

And my personal hope was that Darvish would have faced against Yoshinobu. Obviously that's not going to happen this time around, but I'm very honored and excited to be able to face him.

Q. Were there any times, especially early in the season, where you found yourself trying to do too much at the plate? And if so what did you learn from that?

SHOHEI OHTANI: In the beginning of the season, I think I had a very strong desire to fit in with the team as soon as possible. And I think that was kind of leaking into my at-bats.

As the season progressed and as we got into the second half, I felt like I had more of my at-bats.