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Astros could face Shohei Ohtani at home on April 24th
By Eric Huysman
The Astros could be facing the Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani soon at MMP.
The Houston Astros will be fighting the Angels for the AL West all season. This will not be a year like last year where they finish with a 21 plus game lead. The Astros still have the better overall team when healthy, the Angels have made some additions to try to catch up. One of those additions is Shohei Ohtani, who is seeking to change the way baseball is played.
We all know that Ohtani is a two-way star. Most people thought that his pitching level would be his strength. But there was some doubt about his ability to hit at the major league level after a poor showing this spring. However, once the bright lights turned on during the regular season, that changed.
Ohtani is currently batting .367 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 33 at-bats. The Angels are 13 – 3 at the moment, but Ohtani has only been in the lineup in eight of the 16 games. He is not in the lineup the day before or after he starts on the mound. Ohtani has made two starts so far this season, with a 2.08 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 12 innings.
This also now seemingly puts Ohtani in line to pitch against the Astros when the Angels visit Houston for a three-game series April 23-25. https://t.co/rS0DMsCeQx
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) April 15, 2018
His start was rescheduled.
He was due to pitch today, but the game was called in Kansas City because of cold weather. This has been an early epidemic in baseball, especially in Minnesota where the Twins have only played ten games. Instead of Ohtani starting on Sundays, he will now be moved to Tuesdays. This sets him to battle the Astros in front of the H-town crowd. Not confirmed right now.
Sho-Time
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) April 15, 2018
Shohei Ohtani This Season
Hitter Pitcher
H-AB 11-30 4-43
BA .367 .093
SLG .767 .163
Avg. exit velo is 4th among MLB hitters.
97.1 mph avg. fastball 3rd among starters.
His only 3B was timed at 11.49 seconds, 5th-fastest in '18 (Statcast).
On April 23, the Angels will come to Houston for a three-game series. This would put Ohtani on the mound on April 24th. The Astros would be facing one of their most imposing starters in Ohtani this year. Hopefully, the Astros offense is on a roll, and he’s just another pitcher.
The good news is that we wouldn’t have to face him as a hitter this time around. The Angels are using Ohtani as a sixth starter who also serves as a DH other days. We could see some more players like this in the future if Ohtani is successful. Long-term, it may prove valuable for him to focus on one skill besides both.
Next: Astros appear to be going with a closer by committee for now
Get your tickets now to see Ohtani making his fourth MLB start at Minute Maid Park on April 24th. If things stay on track for the Astros, Charlie Morton will get the start. First things first, let’s beat the Rangers, Mariners, and White Sox first. Justin Verlander is on the mound tonight.
***Stats from Baseball-Reference***