Shohei Ohtani started as a pitcher in the Freeway Series for the first time in his career, which Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said heading into Wednesday’s game he was looking forward to seeing, and marveled about the performance after his club’s 2-0 win.
“It’s going to be tough,” Roberts said hours before first pitch of the series finale in Anaheim. “It’s an elite fastball, it’s strike throwing, it’s big stuff, there’s a split in there, breaking ball. I’m actually as a fan looking forward to seeing him on the mound and then hitting high up in the order.
“It’s like back to Little League. I’m very anxious to see it as a fan. Preparing against him is going to be difficult. I think we’ve just got to try to get him in the strike zone, take good at-bats and hopefully get into that ‘pen even though it’s been pretty decent.”
Ohtani proceeded to hold the Dodgers to just one run and five hits, and he collected 12 strikeouts over seven innings. Ohtani set an Angels franchise record for most strikeouts in a single game against the Dodgers.
The mark previously belonged to Garrett Richards, who had 11 strikeouts in a Freeway Series start during the 2015 season.
“I was sort of a fan tonight watching him,” Roberts said of Ohtani. “To throw 100 pitches and focus like he did for 100 pitches, really kept us at bay, and you could argue dominated us. And to go out there and take four at-bats, still have competitive at-bats, it’s just remarkable to watch.
“Just to be a starting pitcher and hold down a lineup like this like he did, and then hit at the top of the order and be such a force, it’s remarkable. I’m a manager first, but as a fan it’s hard not to appreciate that.”
Will the Dodgers sign Shohei Ohtani?
The usual fanfare that comes with an Ohtani start was kicked into overdrive as he faced a team many have speculated are the favorite to sign the two-way All-Star once he becomes a free agent after the 2023 season.
“I think every manager would say he’d look better in their colors,” Roberts answered when asked if he’s ever given thought to Ohtani wearing a Dodgers uniform. “Unfortunately, we’ve got to oppose him tonight. It’s going to be a tall order, but we’ll see what happens.”
Roberts was then asked more directly if he wanted to have Ohtani on the Dodgers.
“I don’t think there’s a manager that wouldn’t love Shohei,” Roberts answered. “But right now he’s an Angel, so I want to get hits off him and I want him to get out four times. That’s what I want.
“And I can’t afford tampering charges.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
