Blue Jays stealing from 2002 Angels’ playbook as they try to topple Shohei Ohtani

As the Angels and their fans watch on as the crosstown Los Angeles Dodgers continue their quest to defend their World Series title, they’re likely cheering on the Toronto Blue Jays. For a lot of reasons - whether it be Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or spite towards the Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani - the Halo faithful are pulling for the Blue Jays. And while they’re watching these games, the older generation of Angels fans may be noticing a familiar tactic against their former MVP Shohei Ohtani. 

In the 2002 World Series, the Angels took on the San Francisco Giants in a World Series matchup that is eerily similar to that of the Dodgers-Blue Jays one that just went 17 innings on Monday night. And while the Blue Jays fell short and ultimately went down 2-1 in the series, the strategy they’re copying from Mike Scioscia’s playbook is working, and could just win them the series. 

In 2002, Barry Bonds was in the middle of one of the best runs a hitter has ever had in MLB history. Up against him was an Angels team that spent the majority of the season overshadowed by their division foes (sound familiar, Blue Jays fans?). Bonds had been on one of the best postseason runs ever, and the Angels opted to take drastic measures in order to give themselves a chance against the seven-time MVP. 

Blue Jays use Angels’ playbook to slow down Shohei Ohtani

In 2002, Barry Bonds was intentionally walked seven times by the Angels in the World Series. He walked a total of 13 times, as the Angels would go on to win the series despite Bonds’ historic series. He hit .471 with four home runs, two doubles, and six RBI outside of the walks. But most importantly, the Angels won the series. 

Much is being made of Ohtani being intentionally walked four times in the Game 3 marathon, reaching base a total of nine times. He is getting the same treatment Bonds’ got, and is delivering the same level of performance for the Dodgers. Much like the Angels (who are being constantly reminded of their owner’s cheapness this playoffs), the Blue Jays have fallen behind in the series. But over the course of the series in 2002, walking Bonds paid off. So even as the Blue Jays fall behind and begin to think of pitching to Ohtani, they should stick to the same plan that the Angels did in 2002… it may even lead to the same result as they look to topple the game’s best player (and a billion dollar roster) on the biggest stage.