Why the Dodgers shouldn't pitch Shohei Ohtani in the playoffs, per John Smoltz

It's one thing to intentionally walk a batter with a strong track record against a certain pitcher. It's another to do it with no one on base.

In this week's conversation with MLB on FOX analyst John Smoltz, the Hall of Fame pitcher shared his thoughts on Gerrit Cole's unique free pass to Rafael Devers, the Tigers' surge, his level of concern with an Orioles team that has a losing record in the second half, the Dodgers' chances to win it all with a makeshift rotation and which potential wild-card team has the best chance to hoist a World Series trophy.

Kavner: We'll start with Red Sox - Yankees , and Gerrit Cole intentionally walking Rafael Devers with no one on base. How much did that surprise you and is there anyone you pitched against, that you would have considered doing such a thing?

Smoltz: Well, probably not with the bases empty. I understand that certain hitters are going to own certain pitchers, and I had my slew of them. I think it was a little surprising to maybe even Aaron Boone. If the opportunity presented itself where you needed to walk him, you could go ahead and walk him. But I was surprised with the bases empty. It might have changed the dynamics of the game. It obviously did, because that inning got away from Gerrit Cole. Anytime a pitcher has to openly admit, without saying a word about a hitter owning you, that ultimately is the statement without making a statement, that, "He's owned me and I'm not going to deal with it." Unfortunately, it did not work out well, to say the least, for Gerrit Cole.

Kavner: The Orioles had a losing record in July, a losing record in August. They're 6-7 in September. How concerned are you about them?

Smoltz: Very concerned. I think some of the things that