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Thanks to Shohei Ohtani, the LA Angels enter the record books again

By Evan Desai|
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) delivers a pitch during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

It was a first for Shohei Ohtani today, as the LA Angels had him pitch on five days rest for the first time this year.

Well, that was a first for the Angels today. There was another much more notable first that happened today as well, and it means a bit more to MLB history than that individual accomplishment:

Never has a DH been available to both teams, and the AL team has passed while the NL team feels thankful to be able to take advantage of it. But, when Shohei Ohtani’s on a team, a lot of unusual lines get added to the baseball history book.

Shohei Ohtani adds to his historic season, providing the LA Angels with no reason to bat a DH.

Shohei Ohtani’s too good of a hitter to not have him bat for the LA Angels. Entering today, he posted a line of .269/.355/.640 while tied for the league lead with 23 homers, and has driven in 54 runs.

It was the obvious choice, and Joe Maddon made it.

I like the way Maddon put it. Who would be better to do this than Ohtani?

Also, the Angels are also a bit shorthanded right now as far as bats are concerned. They had to start Luis Rengifo in right field in place of the red-hot Justin Upton, who is dealing with some lower back tightness.

The Angels were set to miss J-Up’s bat, so they needed to ask a bit more of Ohtani.

He’s always up for the challenge, however, and was certainly up for it today.

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