Amid the electric atmosphere of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ second consecutive World Series triumph in 2025, Shohei Ohtani (the main character) delivered an offensive performance that was so high-end it felt normal—and therefore, often missed. Even while sharing headlines with pitchers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ohtani’s “under-the-radar brilliance” proved that even when he looks merely “good” by his standards, he still utterly outclasses almost every other star on the biggest stage.
Here is the deconstruction of Ohtani’s quiet dominance in the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays:
1. Towering OPS (The Unseen Power)
While the focus often shifted to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s dramatic homers, Ohtani’s overall offensive production was statistically superior, fueled by his uncanny ability to get on base.
| Player | 2025 World Series Batting Average | 2025 World Series Home Runs | 2025 World Series OPS |
| Shohei Ohtani (LAD) | .333 | 3 (Series Leader) | 1.278 |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) | .333 | 2 | 1.074 |
Ohtani’s 1.278 OPS—a mark comparable to Barry Bonds’s 2003 regular season OPS—was far superior to Guerrero Jr.’s 1.074. This gap was created by Ohtani’s .500 On-Base Percentage (OBP), meaning he reached base half the time, constantly putting pressure on the Blue Jays pitching staff.
2. The Clutch Presence That Shifted Momentum
Ohtani delivered explosive, series-defining moments that prevented the Blue Jays from building any sustainable momentum:
- Game 1 Home Run: He followed his historic NLCS two-way show with a home run in Game 1, immediately announcing his presence.
- The Game 3 Masterpiece: In the record-setting, 18-inning Game 3 (won by the Dodgers), Ohtani delivered an offensive game for the ages, hitting two home runs, two doubles, and walking five times. He reached base nine times in that single game, sustaining the Dodgers offense through the longest World Series game in history and crushing the morale of the Blue Jays.
- The Quiet Wins: Even in Game 7, where his pitching struggled on short rest, he was on base multiple times, contributing offensively to the tight, extra-inning victory.
3. The Unfair Pitching Context
Ohtani’s pitching performance (2 GS, 8.1 IP, 7.56 ERA) was “subpar” by his standard and led to some criticism, but it masked the extraordinary circumstances:
- Short Rest & Fatigue: He pitched on incredibly short rest, especially after the 18-inning epic, and was clearly gassed—a common managerial issue when pushing two-way players.
- The Two-Way Tax: The fact that he was asked to start two games in the World Series while simultaneously being the most productive offensive player on the field (by OPS) simply underscores the impossible standard he operates under.
In the end, Ohtani’s World Series performance—highlighted by 3 home runs, a .333 average, and a massive 1.278 OPS—was the kind of production that would earn almost any other player the World Series MVP. The fact that it went “under the radar” is a testament to the unreal bar he has set for himself.
The Dodgers are already planning for a three-peat. Would you like the latest news on their rumored pursuit of free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker to upgrade the roster around Ohtani?
