The Los Angeles Dodgers are keeping Shohei Ohtani on the same pitching schedule as the last two weeks, which amounts to his next start coming against the Los Angeles Angels in the finale of the Freeway Series.
Although Ohtani has already played his former team as a designated hitter, Wednesday is going to mark his first time pitching against the Angels.
Might that make for some added emotions?
“Not really,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts opined.
The outing is going to mark a third consecutive Wednesday that Ohtani has pitched, with the stretch beginning July 3O.
However, that start was just three-plus innings and saw Ohtani exit early due to cramping in his right hip. He recovered from the minor physical ailment to face the Cincinnati Reds in an afternoon day game that coincided with a Shohei Ohtani replica World Series ring giveaway at Dodger Stadium.
Ohtani set season-highs with eight strikeouts, 54 pitches and four innings in the outing. He allowed just one run on two hits and did not walk a batter.
“I thought it was a big day for me, personally, getting to the fourth inning, being able to pitch through it,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “I think that was really good in terms of building up where I am.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the goal is for Ohtani to complete four innings against the Angels. Then when he figures to start next on July 20, the team might look to further build him up to five innings in that game against the Colorado Rockies.
So far this season he’s pitched to a 2.37 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across eight starts. Ohtani’s ERA is slightly inflated due to the Dodgers keeping him on an innings progression. The 31-year-old has turned in a scoreless effort in four starts thus far.
Shohei Ohtani’s pitching stats at Angel Stadium
Ohtani is 21-8 with a 2.22 ERA and 1.01 WHIP in 47 career starts at Angel Stadium. Ohtani last pitched in Anaheim during the 2023 season, when he finished 6-3 with a 2.70 ERA before being shut down due to a right elbow injury that ultimately required a second career Tommy John surgery.
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