La Dodgers Dodgers vs La Angels Angels Picks and Predictions June 22nd 2024

Shohei Ohtani Aims to Help Dodgers Salvage Split in Set vs. Angels

When Shohei Ohtani came to bat in the bottom of the first inning on Friday, he kindly tipped his batting helmet to his former Los Angeles Angels teammates. He strolled. With a monster home run in the fifth inning that was 455 feet long and well beyond the center field fence, Ohtani later made his presence known more clearly.

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But Ohtani and his new club, the Los Angeles Dodgers, can only earn a split of the two-game series when it wraps up Saturday night at Dodger Stadium. The Angels won the opener, 3-2 in 10 innings to halt a 10-game losing streak against the Dodgers.

Ohtani’s Impact

After spending six seasons as the Angels’ two-time unanimous American League MVP, he left as a free agent and signed a record 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. The Angels didn’t require tokens of his ability, however Ohtani conveyed at any rate by arriving at base multiple times on two hits and two strolls, bested by the measuring tape two-run homer.

Afterward, Ohtani reiterated his pre-series comments that it will be more emotional when he returns to Angel Stadium for two games on Sept. 3-4. Of course, one major difference for Ohtani is that the Angels never made the postseason during his tenure — their last appearance was 2014 — while the Dodgers have made 11 straight trips and have annual expectations of reaching the World Series.

“I really feel that the organization values the long-term approach, at the same time, we really value winning the game each and every day. So for me, the approach doesn’t really change. We focus on playing each game.”

Ohtani said of the Dodgers

The homer on Friday was Ohtani’s fifth in the last six games and his National League-leading 22nd of the season.

Angels’ Victory Highlights

Despite Ohtani’s performance, the Angels secured the victory thanks to Taylor Ward’s game-winning single. Ward had two of the Angels’ four hits. The Angels also received 7 2/3 strong innings from the bullpen after starter Patrick Sandoval exited after 2 1/3 frames due to left forearm tightness.

“The best part of the night for me was the bullpen coming in and keeping that game close after we lost Sandoval, they did a tremendous job. We scratched a few runs (in the sixth) and in the 10th inning when he bunted him over, we got him in.”

Ron Washington

The Dodgers had the tying run on third in the 10th, but Carlos Estevez struck out the final two batters for his 14th save.

“We pulled that one back,” Estevez said. “We were losing, whatever. We got this. We had this thing all the way and we delivered.”

Pitching Matchup

Right-hander Tyler Glasnow (7-5, 3.00 Period) will begin for the Dodgers on Saturday. Before Sunday’s victory over the Kansas City Royals, Glasnow was 0-4 in six consecutive starts. He gave up three hits, one walk, and nine strikes in seven shutout innings. Glasnow, 30, is 1-1 with a 4.00 Time in four profession begins against the Angels. Brandon Drury, who was sick Friday, is 4-for-5 with two homers off Glasnow, while Kevin Point of support is only 2-for-12.

Right-hander Zach Plesac (1-0, 4.50) performed admirably in his Angels’ debut last Monday after being hastily recalled to start in place of Jose Soriano (abdominal). He starts Saturday due to Soriano being placed on the 15-day injured list. Plesac worked six innings while defeating the Milwaukee Brewers. He gave up three runs and four hits with the runs scoring on two Milwaukee homers.

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The 29-year-old Plesac has faced the Dodgers just once. That start was on June 17, 2022 when he pitched for Cleveland and allowed one run and five hits in six innings during a no-decision. Ohtani (3-for-7) and Teoscar Hernandez (3-for-6) each have hit a homer off Plesac.

Conclusion

As Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers look to salvage a split against the Angels, the focus will be on converting their strong individual performances into a cohesive team victory. Ohtani’s return to face his former team adds an emotional layer to the matchup, but both teams are primarily focused on the present challenge. With Glasnow and Plesac set to face off, the game promises to be a competitive contest between two determined sides.