Strahm tries something new to silence Ohtani for the third time in a month

Strahm tries something new to silence Ohtani for the third time in a month originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia

LOS ANGELES — In the biggest moment of the Phillies’ biggest series in at least a month, Matt Strahm decided to try something new.

He was facing National League MVP leader Shohei Ohtani with a three-run, two-inning, two-out lead in the seventh inning. It was the third Strahm-Ohtani meeting since July 10 and Strahm won it both times last month with sliders that resulted in strikeouts and groundouts.

In the 1-1 count to Ohtani, it wasn’t the fastball or slider that Strahm turned to, it was a 90 mph cutter — the first Strahm threw to a left-handed hitter since 2023 spring training, when he was trying to deepen his pitch mix in a transition from relief to starter.

Ohtani got past him before completing the count and flying in a slider near the outside corner that was too close to reach.

Crisis averted. Maintained lead. The Phillies won 6-2 to even their series with the Dodgers, close out the season’s back-to-back and give themselves a chance Wednesday night to end a six-game losing streak in the series.

“The last one I threw was last spring training to Oneil Cruz and he hit a foul from about 470 feet,” Strahm said.

So what made the seventh inning against baseball’s most dangerous hitter the right time to try again?

“I trust JT (Realmuto),” he said.

Replacing Cristopher Sanchez, Strahm came up Nick Ahmed and struck out Kevin Kiermaier leading off Ohtani’s hit. The first and only slider he threw to Ohtani was the final pitch of a full count.

And for the third time in a month he won the battle.

“Just thinking along with JT there, I can feel him looking for my fastball,” Strahm said. “That’s my bread and butter and (Ohtani) really good at hitting them. I kind of went to my 1B and tried to hit one down and away.

“I watched Sanchy get him inside all three times and JT plays to my strengths and my deception. It just sets everything up and JT is unbelievable at doing his homework.”

The Phillies collected 14 hits, hit two home runs, stole three bases and added a crucial safety in the top of the ninth to win for the second time in three games. It’s a small step in the right direction for a team that entered Tuesday with 14 losses in 19 games.

Edmundo Sosa drove in three runs, Kyle Schwarber hit a home run into the right field post, Bryce Harper scored twice, Nick Castellanos did the same and Alec Bohm went 3-for-5.

“It would be nice to have a winning streak, I would feel a lot better about it,” Strahm said. “This game is really tough and none of that matters unless we do what we need to do in the end.”

The Phillies made things a little easier on themselves by beating the Dodgers at least once this week. If the teams finish the regular season with the same record, the Phils own the tiebreaker.

“That’s a good thing, a really good club there,” said manager Rob Thomson. “That could be huge down the stretch.”