Ohtani’s Preparation for the World Baseball Classic
In Glendale, Arizona, Shohei Ohtani is preparing for a brief stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers as he gears up for the World Baseball Classic with the Japanese national team. Before leaving the Dodgers to participate in the tournament, Ohtani will play in a few exhibition games, taking the field as a designated hitter in Saturday’s spring training opener against the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Manager’s Insights on Ohtani’s Performance
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that Ohtani may take two or three at-bats, depending on how he feels during the game, stating,
“Sometimes he takes two, and if he’s feeling good, he might go for the third.”
Roberts expressed uncertainty about the exact timing of Ohtani’s departure but mentioned,
“I’m not sure when his plane ticket is. He hasn’t mentioned the day he’ll join Team Japan yet.”
Following his two games with the Dodgers, Ohtani is set to pitch against live batters on Sunday, and Roberts has noted that Ohtani’s performance could position him favorably in the Cy Young Award race this year.
Showcasing Yamamoto’s Talent
Alongside him, the Dodgers will also showcase standout pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the reigning World Series MVP from Japan. Yamamoto, who recently inked a 12-year contract worth $325 million, is expected to pitch two innings while making around 35 throws in this initial outing for the team.
As he prepares for his role with the Japanese national team, Roberts emphasized the importance of managing his workload effectively, especially considering Yamamoto’s impressive World Series record of three wins with a 1.09 ERA against the Toronto Blue Jays in the previous season.
Yamamoto’s Historic Achievements
During that series, Yamamoto made a remarkable impact, with 15 strikeouts and only two walks over 17.2 innings pitched, allowing just two runs on ten hits. His achievement places him alongside only Randy Johnson as the second pitcher in history since 1969 to secure three victories in a single World Series.
Roberts remarked on the unpredictability of preparing pitchers successfully, highlighting the necessity to trust players like Yamamoto to be aware of their bodies and readiness for the season.
