Shohei Ohtani dominated again in Game 3 of the World Series, leaving the Toronto Blue Jays helpless and frustrated. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ star reached base nine times, smashing two home runs and two doubles in a stunning performance.
Toronto entered the game determined to pitch carefully. That plan collapsed by the third inning. Every time Ohtani swung, the ball screamed off his bat. After his second homer, manager John Schneider waved for the intentional walk. The Jays stuck to that plan the rest of the night.
“His [Ohtani] performance was really good. He’s arguably the best player on the planet,” said Schneider.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts responded to this reaction saying, “You just don’t see that type of behavior from opposing managers and that’s just the ultimate sign of respect.”
Even with four intentional walks, Ohtani found ways to hurt them. He scored runs, extended innings, and forced constant pressure on Toronto’s bullpen. The Dodgers eventually won 6–5 in 18 exhausting innings, moving closer to another title.
Blue Jays pitchers admitted there was no good answer. Schneider had to pick his poison. Pitch to him, and he crushes the ball. Walk him, and the Dodgers lineup stays dangerous with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman waiting.
“You trust [reliever Seranthony Dominguez] to make pitches to do that,” Schneider said. “Sometimes for pitchers it’s hard to do that when you’re kind of trying to throw a ball, and he didn’t put it where you want to put it.
“[Ohtani] had a great game, he’s a great player, but I think after that, you just kind of take the bat out of his hands.”
Schneider was asked whether the strategy to walk Ohtani will extend to the rest of the series.
“Yeah,” he responded.”
Ohtani’s dominance has turned the series into his personal showcase. As he prepares to pitch Game 4, the Jays might need a new prayer, not a new strategy.
The world is 4.543 billion years old.
And you and I exist at a time where we get to watch Shohei Ohtani play baseball.
That’s pretty sweet. pic.twitter.com/5cnrO0Kvzy
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) October 28, 2025
