Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani plan for potential Game 7 showdown should intimidate Blue Jays

If the Los Angeles Dodgers hope to become the first team to win back-to-back World Series championships since the New York Yankees in 1999-2000, they'll need to force a Game 7. The Dodgers will face off against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 6 of the 2025 World Series on Friday night at the Rogers Centre in hopes of doing just that.

So while Los Angeles still has work ahead and can't focus on Game 7 until they've won Game 6, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has already laid out his strategy for Shohei Ohtani if LA forces a deciding game.

Roberts plans to deploy the kitchen-sink version of Ohtani if the Dodgers face off against the Jays in Game 7. Speaking to the media on Thursday, Roberts said everything is on the table for Ohtani if this series goes the limit. What does that mean? Well, don't be shocked to see Ohtani act as opener, closer, middle-of-the-seventh inning reliever, even an outfielder.

While it's doubtful that Dodgers fans will see Ohtani borrow Will Smith's catching gear and hang some signs behind the plate on Saturday night, all other options appear to be in play.

Dodgers plans for Shohei Ohtani in Game 7 of the World Series could be a sight to see

And why shouldn't they be? At this stage of the season, there's nothing left to play for. Obviously Roberts isn't insisting on putting's Ohtani's health in jeopardy, but if he can give his skipper two innings of work on Saturday night, Roberts made it sound as if that's definitely a possibility.

Ohtani started Game 4 for the Dodgers, and was roughed up pretty good. In total, the Dodgers superstar went six innings, gave up four runs, and struck out just six batters. If Ohtani were to toe the rubber on Saturday night during a potential Game 7, he'd be operating on three days' rest, so the LA faithful should not expect to see him go deep into a game.

While Ohtani the pitcher may have performed below the standard that fans have come to expect from him with a forgettable start during Game 4, the player who's been in the batter's box has kept LA afloat in the Fall Classic with a 1.395 OPS with three home runs through the first five games.

Roberts will likely keep his plans for Ohtani under wraps until after the Dodgers (hopefully) win Game 6 in Toronto. If the series reaches a seventh game, get ready to see some things from Ohtani that you've never seen before — which would be quite something considering how much he's already done throughout his career.