It’s the absolute, ultimate, perfect ending: Trout vs. Ohtani
MIAMI — It’s right here. The matchup the world has been ready for: Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout.
On Tuesday night, the 2 Angels teammates will take the sector in opposition to one another within the USA-Japan championship sport of the World Baseball Classic (7 p.m. ET, FS1).
Both are All-Stars. Both have gained an AL Silver Slugger Award. Both have been named MVP. And each are gamers the baseball world has been itching to see collectively within the postseason.
The World Baseball Classic has created an setting akin to playoff baseball, however even louder and extra celebratory. In this setting, there’s nationwide pleasure on the road. And after all, just one crew can come out victorious.
Outside of seeing his teammate and the captain of the U.S. crew within the opposing dugout, Ohtani is trying ahead to going through a stacked roster.
“Not only Mike Trout, but one through nine in that order is filled with superstars and household names,” Ohtani mentioned by way of interpreter Ippei Mizuhara on Monday after Japan’s epic 6-5 walk-off win over Mexico within the semifinals. “I’m just excited to face that lineup, and it’s a great thing for Japanese baseball.”
Both Trout and Ohtani have been demolishing baseballs within the six video games they’ve every performed. Here’s how their stats line up:
• Trout: .318/.444/.591 with one homer, seven RBIs, one double and one triple
• Ohtani: .450/.621/.800 with one homer, eight RBIs, 4 doubles and one stolen base
Trout’s lone homer within the Classic got here on March 13 in opposition to Canada, when he demolished a three-run blast to cap off a nine-run backside of the primary inning for the United States.
Meanwhile, Ohtani final homered the day earlier than Trout, on March 12 when he confronted Australia throughout the group stage. He did showcase throughout batting observe previous to Monday’s semifinal, although, raking a ball into the highest half of the second deck down the right-field line at loanDepot park.
“I knew Team Mexico was watching,” Ohtani mentioned.
Trout gained’t be the primary teammate Ohtani has confronted this Classic. He already went up in opposition to David Fletcher (Italy) within the quarterfinal and Patrick Sandoval (Mexico) within the semifinal.
Though Ohtani gained’t be the beginning pitcher, there’s a chance that he may take the bump as a reliever. Back in 2016 with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, Ohtani began the sport as DH after which got here in because the nearer to assist the Fighters clinch the Japan Series.
“At the time, I was told in the fifth inning of that game,” Ohtani mentioned. “I took an at-bat in between, went in the bullpen in the back and took another at-bat and came into the game.”
If that occurs and Trout is due up, there’s little doubt will probably be a faceoff for the ages. One of essentially the most electrical and thrilling pitchers and designated hitters in baseball going up in opposition to the Team USA captain and a recognized slugger? That’s must-watch baseball.
