3. Keeping Shohei Ohtani at bay
The rookie sensation came into Friday night’s game against Cleveland struggling. He had just seven hits over his last 35 plate appearances (.135) and was left out of the Angels starting lineup on both Wednesday and Thursday against Tampa.
Ohtani brought the fireworks against Cleveland however, launching a two-run homer over the left field wall in the first inning. He followed that up with a solo homer in the third inning, crushing a Mike Clevinger four-seam fastball 443 feet to center field.
Ohtani finished Friday’s game 4-for-5 from the plate (a new single-game high) with three RBI. Against Cleveland this season, Ohtani is 9-for-14 against Cleveland (.643). Postgame on Friday, Ohtani said there isn’t one common thing he has noticed this year against Cleveland.
“There’s nothing in particular,” he said through a translator. “The Indians are a very good ball club and we’re going to score as many runs as we can. That’s the goal.”
Needless to say, the Tribe pitching staff will need to try and find a way to contain him on Saturday.
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