What happened: Shohei Ohtani said his swing is "in a much better place" as the postseason begins. He is still expected to remain in the lineup while playing at less than full strength, with the extent of that limitation still to unfold.

Why it matters: Any drop from full strength matters in October, when one hitter's plate appearances can tilt a short series. That health question has hovered over Shohei Ohtani since his late-September return, making his condition one of the central variables early in the postseason.

What to watch: The next read will come from the quality of Ohtani's at-bats and whether he can handle regular postseason workload without further drop-off. His swing decisions and contact authority should show how manageable the limitation is.