Shohei Ohtani shined in his final spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels, showcasing his skills just days before the team's regular season opener. On March 25, 2025, Ohtani, who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers, stepped onto the field at Angel Stadium as the designated hitter, a role he has embraced with great success over the years.
During the game, which commenced at 10:07 AM Japan time on March 26, Ohtani's performance proved crucial to his team's preparations. In his second at-bat of the day, he unleashed a powerful swing that sent the ball crashing into the right-center field fence, marking a fantastic double, and demonstrating his readiness for the upcoming season. Observers noted that if the ball had a slightly higher angle, it might have cleared the fence for a home run.
This double came after his first at-bat resulted in a fly-out to left field. Despite the earlier setback, Ohtani's lightning-fast response in his second opportunity provided a spark for the Dodgers. He concluded the game with 1 hit in 2 at-bats, and his abilities was on full display as he was replaced by a pinch hitter during his third trip to the plate.
In the previous day’s matchup, Ohtani's performance had been less stellar, as he struck out three times in three at-bats, leading to his mid-game exit, while the Dodgers suffered a narrow loss to the Angels, finishing the game 4-5. However, his strong showing in the final spring training game seemed to erase the memories of the earlier performance, showcasing his determination to lead his team into the new season.
On this day, Mookie Betts also made a return to the lineup after suffering from health issues that had kept him sidelined for 16 days. Replacing Betts at shortstop was another significant moment for the Dodgers, reuniting what has been dubbed the ‘MVP trio’ of Betts, Ohtani, and first baseman Freddie Freeman. Though Betts did not record a hit in his three at-bats, his presence on the field was a morale booster, and both he and Freeman encouraged Ohtani as they prepared for the season ahead.
Freddie Freeman commented on Ohtani’s performance, stating, "It's always great to have Ohtani back to his best form as we head into the regular season," pointing to the impact Ohtani makes on and off the field. Confidence soared among the Dodgers as they look to repeat their success and aim for a World Series title this year.
The upcoming season opener for the Dodgers is scheduled against the Detroit Tigers on March 27, 2025 (March 28 in Japan time). The concluding open match against the Angels served not only as a platform for Ohtani to ramp up his season performance but also a crucial moment for the entire team to finalize their strategies and unite their efforts as they embark on the journey of the new baseball season.
As the excitement builds, fans eagerly await to see how Ohtani’s impressive spring training success transfers into regular season play. All eyes will be on him as the Dodgers and their star player look to make headlines with their pursuit of another championship. The fans’ hopes rest on Ohtani's shoulders, and with his recent double, they have every reason to believe that he will lead by example.
