In the last visit of the Los Angeles Dodgers to Kansas City, it can be said that Shohei Ohtani was “cornered” in the bullpen at Kauffman Stadium. The third game of the series, played on Sunday, June 30, went viral with a video showing the Japanese pitcher cornered in a corner to shelter in a tiny strip of shade from the intense heat felt in Kansas, Missouri. The game, played shortly after noon, was played in temperatures above 33°C.
Despite the summer heat, Shohei Ohtani made his way to the visitors’ mound, where he extended his work to two innings to reaffirm his good rehabilitation in order to achieve the goal of returning as a full-time starting pitcher.
Managers are looking to give the Japanese pitcher more staggered outings and gradually increase the physical effort where the goal is for him to be able to pitch six to seven innings without setbacks by September. That is, in the development of the playoffs.
The appearance of Shohei Ohtani on the pitching mound
After his injury and subsequent surgery on his right shoulder in late 2023, the Japanese pitcher spent all of 2024 in rehabilitation but his condition allowed him to perform as a designated hitter where he hit more than 54 home runs and 130 RBIs with a batting average of .310. Now, in the current campaign, Ohtani intends to surpass his records where two weeks before reaching the middle of the season he has 29 home runs by 54 RBI.
As a pitcher, Shohei has made three appearances on the mound, two as a visitor and one as a visitor, the latter in Kansas City. At the moment he has gone without a decision and even a couple of times he has left the score against his team. However, the bullpen and the power of the Angels’ bats straightened the course to avoid the Japanese taking the loss of the game.
Los Angeles Dodgers on track to finish as the best team in the National League
Two weeks before the All-Star Game, the reigning champions are in a position to finish the first half of the season with the best record in the National League, where they currently have a record of 51 wins and 35 losses. They lead the West Division with a seven-game advantage over the San Diego Padres, their closest pursuers.
The reigning champions are only surpassed by the Detroit Tigers with the best record in MLB where the American League team stands at 52 wins and 34 losses. It will undoubtedly be an interesting race to determine who will be the best team in MLB 2025.
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