PHILADELPHIA — On Sept. 16, the night after the Phillies wrapped up the National League East and partied at Dodger Stadium, the club got an early preview of what has turned out to be its opening postseason matchup. Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez started for Philadelphia, and two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani threw for the Dodgers, going up against the Phillies as a pitcher for the first time in his career.
Ohtani won the battle, throwing five scoreless innings compared to Sánchez’s four runs over seven innings, but the Phillies won the war as they came back to win the game and secure a series victory over Los Angeles.