Ohtani, Sasaki make history as Dodgers crush Phillies

Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki created Major League Baseball playoff history on Saturday when the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in the opening game of the National League Division Series. The contest marked the first time one Japanese pitcher started and won a postseason game while another closed it and earned a save, according to MLB Network's Sarah Langs. Ohtani secured the victory before Sasaki successfully finished the contest in his new closer role. Teoscar Hernandez hit a three-run home run that provided the offensive support necessary for the Dodgers to transition to their bullpen. The achievement differs from the 2013 postseason when Boston Red Sox relievers Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa both worked from the bullpen. The performance by Ohtani and Sasaki demonstrates the versatility of Japanese players in baseball's most important games.