The Los Angeles Dodgers’ win over the San Diego Padres in the decider of the National League Division Series (NLDS) attracted a record-breaking audience in Japan last Friday. The game, which was the fifth and decisive match of the series, drew an average of 12.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched Major League Baseball postseason game in Japanese history.
The Dodgers secured a 2-0 victory in a historic game that marked the first time two Japanese pitchers started a postseason game. Yoshinobu Yamamoto from Los Angeles delivered an impressive performance by allowing only two hits over five innings. On the other side, San Diego’s Yu Darvish gave up two runs on three hits in 6 2/3 innings.
One of the standout moments of the game was when Shohei Ohtani played a crucial role in helping the Dodgers advance to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2021. Notably, the time zone difference meant that the game started around 11 a.m. on a Saturday morning in Japan, as Tokyo is 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
The NLDS decider not only outperformed the last three MLB games played in Japan but also surpassed the viewership of Ohtani’s first MLB postseason game on October 5, which averaged 9.1 million views. Ohtani, known for his exceptional talent, had a significant impact on the game with a three-run homer, leading the Dodgers to a 7-5 victory.
This significant achievement has further solidified the popularity of Major League Baseball in Japan and highlights the growing international appeal of the sport. The success of the Dodgers and the Padres in captivating the Japanese audience reflects the global reach and influence of baseball beyond national borders.