Roberts not committing to Game 7 starter, Ohtani 'a possibility'

The Los Angeles Dodgers made it to Game 7 of the World Series. Who will pitch for them in the first inning on Saturday remains to be seen.

Manager Dave Roberts wouldn't name a starter for the winner-take-all contest in the immediate aftermath of his team's season-saving Game 6 win. However, he did note that two-way star Shohei Ohtani is a "possibility" to start the game, according to theScore's Brandon Wile.

If Ohtani does start Game 7, he'll be working on three days' rest for just the second time in his career. The previous instance he started on three days' rest was in 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels, when he came back three days after a rain delay cut his earlier outing short.

Ohtani allowed four runs on six hits with six strikeouts while throwing 93 pitches over six innings in the Dodgers' Game 4 loss. Two of the four runs he was charged with were allowed by Dodgers relievers after he departed.

Roberts added that every one of his pitchers except for Game 6 starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be available Saturday, according to Dylan Hernández of the Los Angeles Times. This includes Tyler Glasnow, who had been the presumptive Game 7 starter until coming in to save Friday's 3-1 win. Glasnow needed only three pitches to record the save, meaning he should still be fresh to throw multiple innings if needed.

Ohtani, however, presents a special case in terms of how the Dodgers can use him as a pitcher. The "Ohtani Rule" only applies to the starting pitcher, meaning that if the two-way star were to pitch in relief Los Angeles would forfeit the DH, and have to use him in the outfield to keep his bat in the game. By starting Ohtani even as an opener, he'd be able to continue hitting late in the game.

The Blue Jays, meanwhile, will turn to future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer in Game 7. This will be the 41-year-old's second time starting the final game of a World Series, after he threw five innings in the Washington Nationals' 2019 Game 7 win over the Houston Astros.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that every one of his arms will be available, potentially including Game 6 starter Kevin Gausman. Trey Yesavage, who set a World Series rookie record with 12 strikeouts in Game 5, confirmed he'll be in the bullpen and ready to pitch, per ESPN's Jesse Rogers.