Shohei Ohtani entering rare air by starting as pitcher and hitter in postseason career - ESPN

Even before Shohei Ohtani delivers his first pitch in the postseason, the Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way star will have already made history.

Ohtani's second career playoff appearance comes on the heels of a World Series-winning run last season. He batted .230 with three home runs and 10 RBIs as the Dodgers' starting designated hitter. However, a major difference between this postseason and the last is Ohtani's availability as a pitcher.

In his first pitching action since undergoing a second repair of his ulnar collateral ligament in 2023, Ohtani started in 14 regular-season games in limited capacity. He pitched in just 47 innings for an ERA of 2.87 with 62 strikeouts and just nine walks.

With Ohtani on the mound against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, he will be the fourth player to start a playoff game at pitcher and another position in his postseason career. He is notably the first player to do so in the same postseason. Ohtani, who has batted leadoff or second all season, would also be the first starting pitcher to hit higher than sixth in the lineup — where Babe Ruth batted in the 1918 World Series — in a postseason game.

Here's a look at other players in MLB history who started at pitcher and another position in their playoff careers.

Starting positions: Pitcher (2000), center fielder (2010)

Ankiel began his career on the mound with the Cardinals, pitching from 2000 to 2004. His lone postseason appearance included two starts — and one other appearance — with four innings thrown, allowing five hits for seven runs.

In 2005, injury problems and a struggle to find his command made Ankiel decide to transition to being an outfielder. He returned to the majors in 2007 with St. Louis, then signed with the Kansas City