The Angels reaffirmed their commitment to Shohei Ohtani Wednesday, rebuking potential trade suitors for the two-way superstar and instead acquiring pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez from the White Sox.
The move was a clear message to the rest of the league: "We're gunning for a playoff spot, and our best player is not for sale."
Ohtani rewarded that loyalty Thursday, tossing a complete-game shutout against the Tigers in which he only allowed one hit and three walks in the first leg of a doubleheader.
It's the first complete game in Ohtani's MLB career, and it took him 111 pitches to get it. The righty fanned eight Tigers in what ended up being a 6-0 win in Detroit. The win brought the Angels to 53-49 on the season, 3.5 games back of the Blue Jays in AL Wild Card race.
MORE: The Angels are keeping Shohei Ohtani, but will they get a Hollywood ending?
Ohtani had the pinpoint stuff expected of him when he's at his best.
The Sho. pic.twitter.com/gfDD7IZFRL
— MLB (@MLB) July 27, 2023
Ohtani's ERA is now 3.43 on the season, and his batting average against of .185 is a full 10 points better than second place in MLB among qualified pitchers (Corbin Burnes, .195).
Despite an 0 for 5 day at the plate, Ohtani's teammates more than picked him up, giving him some easy final innings to get the win.
Ohtani when asked if today's game felt any different since the Angels took him off the trade market:
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 27, 2023
"From the beginning, my plan was to finish the season with the Angels. ... I feel like I'll just focus on taking this team to the playoffs."pic.twitter.com/52K2YThbiv
When is the last time the Angels made the playoffs?
To even have a chance of keeping Ohtani past this season, it feels like the Angels need to play meaningful baseball in October. That means the playoffs and, probably, winning a series.
That's not going to be an easy task. The Angels last made the playoffs in 2014, and their eight-year drought is tied for the longest in baseball with Thursday's opponent: Detroit.
The Angels are hoping Mike Trout will return from his hand injury for the stretch run, as they'll need all hands on deck to keep pace in the competitive American League races.
Any team with Ohtani clearly has a chance, but the superstar has never played in a playoff game. L.A. is looking to change that this year.
Thursday was a good first step, but it reestablished one thing no one doubted: If the Angels are going anywhere, Ohtani has to be in the driver's seat. And sometimes, it's best to just let him cruise.
