Shohei Ohtani (29, LA Angels), who finished fourth in the American League Cy Young Award voting last year based on his two-time pitching career, has been confirmed as the starting pitcher for the opening game for the second year in a row.
The Los Angeles Angels announced on the 17th메이저사이트 (hereinafter Korean time) that Ohtani was confirmed as the starting pitcher for the opening game of the 2023 season.
This is a natural choice. Currently, there is no starting pitcher better than Ohtani for the Los Angeles Angels. With this, Ohtani will take on the important role of starting pitcher for the second consecutive season and the second consecutive year in his personal career.
Previously, Ohtani started in the opening game against the Houston Astros last year and lost the game with 4 hits and 1 run in 4 2/3 innings.
The opponent for the opening game of the 2023 season, which will be held on March 31, is the Auckland Athletics. Last year’s head-to-head record was very good with 2 wins and 2 losses and an average ERA of 1.09.
In addition, Ohtani is scheduled to appear as the designated hitter along with the starting pitcher for this opening game. From the opening game, there was an opportunity to record a winning pitcher and a home run at the same time.
Ohtani is currently participating in the Los Angeles Angels’ spring training, and will join the Japanese baseball team in early March to play the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC).
Afterwards, Ohtani will rejoin the Los Angeles Angels squad at the end of March to prepare for the opening game start. Due to the WBC, it is expected to be a much busier spring than last year.