"Dylan Cease looked flustered and frustrated" - MLB insider explains Shohei Ohtani's pivotal home run against Padres ace in NLDS was a team effort

Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani played a key role in helping the LA Dodgers win the 2024 World Series. He joined the team after a stellar season with the LA Angels and made a significant impact as the Dodgers' designated hitter in his very first season.

Playing in his maiden postseason, Ohtani launched a three-run home run off Dylan Cease in NLDS Game 1's 7-5 win against the San Diego Padres. On Sunday, MLB insider Jose Mota explained that it was teamwork from the Dodgers batting lineup that got the best out of one of modern baseball's best pitcher.

"We just got to Dylan Cease, one of the best pitchers in baseball, who looked flustered and frustrated by the way the Dodgers approached him," Mota said (17:05 onwards).

"Ohtani’s home run wasn’t just about him; it was about the Dodgers’ approach—forcing Cease to make mistakes, drawing walks, and putting pressure on teams. They’ve done it to the Padres, to Senga and the Mets, to the Yankees. All of that is a byproduct of saying, We just need one swing from somebody."

MLB insider Jose Mota reflects on Dodgers’ confidence after Shohei Ohtani’s homer

Baseball broadcaster Jose Mota highlighted the impact of Shohei Ohtani’s home run as a pivotal moment in boosting the Dodgers' confidence, saying:

“One swing can make a difference. And for me that was a turning point also on the confidence going forward for the team... Ohtani’s home run is a by product of not just him. It’s just the way the Dodgers face and approach Dylan Cease in that game and later on too.”

It was a great comeback from the Dodgers in the series against the Padres. After the Dodgers won Game 1, the Padres took Game 2 and Game 3 to push Dodgers to the brink of elimination. However, thanks to the Dodgers bullpen and starting pitchers, the club held off the Padres' offense by winning Game 4 (8-0) and Game 5 (2-0) in shutout fashion.

The Dodgers then outdueled the Mets challenge in the NLCS and finally, the Yankees in the World Series to give Ohtani his first Fall Classic title and eighth in franchise history.