Shohei Ohtani is having a jaw-dropping season so far and it’s only July. The Los Angeles Angels superstar is the favorite to win this season’s AL MVP (-190, odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook) and he made history this week when he was selected to this year’s All-Star Game as both a position player and pitcher, becoming the first player in MLB history to do so.
Angels manager Joe Maddon confirmed on Monday, per MLB.com, Ohtani would like to pitch and hit in the All-Star Game and Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash, who will serve as the All-Star Game manager, is in favor of this plan.
"The conclusion is that he will pitch, but how it's going to happen has not been concluded," Maddon said. "There's different ways to do it, obviously. He could start the game or come in game-in-progress. And how often do you hit him? … It's not like we're trying to push him into doing anything. We're just trying to figure out the best way to do it."
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Ohtani is also expected to participate in this year’s Home Run Derby ahead of the All-Star Game. He has 31 home runs already this season, as well as 83 strikeouts in 12 starts this season.
Oh, and it was his 27th birthday on Monday.
Have a month, Ohtani.
The All-Star Game will take place on July 13 at Coors Field.
Lucy is a sports betting content producer with Audacy and BetQL. She has worked with WEEI and Audacy as a writer, radio producer and podcaster. Lucy lives in Boston and loves Tom Brady and prop bets. Follow Lucy on Twitter at @LucilleBurdge.