AL West preview: Shohei Ohtani is the Angels’ X-factor in eclipsing Astros and A’s
LA TimesWith Shohei Ohtani, the Angels have a case to make a strong run in 2021. “You better watch out for those Angels.” American League West predicted order of finish ANGELS 2020 | 26-34, 4th in West Last year in playoffs | 2014 A lineup featuring sluggers Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and a rejuvenated Justin Upton tilts a little too much to the right side, so Shohei Ohtani and Jared Walsh must provide pop from the left side. Lineup 2B David Fletcher DH Shohei Ohtani CF Mike Trout 3B Anthony Rendon LF Justin Upton 1B Jared Walsh SS Jose Iglesias C Max Stassi RF Dexter Fowler Rotation RH Dylan Bundy LH Andrew Heaney RH Shohei Ohtani LH Jose Quintana RH Griffin Canning RH Alex Cobb Setup RH Mike Mayers Closer RH Raisel Iglesias HOUSTON ASTROS 2020 | 29-31, 2nd in West Last year in playoffs | 2020 Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Yuli Gurriel comprise one of baseball’s best-hitting infields, and the emergence of Kyle Tucker helps ease the loss of George Springer. Lineup 2B Jose Altuve LF Michael Brantley 3B Alex Bregman SS Carlos Correa DH Yordan Alvarez 1B Yuli Gurriel RF Kyle Tucker CF Myles Straw C Martin Maldonado Rotation RH Zack Greinke RH Lance McCullers Jr. RH Jose Urquidy RH Jake Odorizzi RH Cristian Javier Setup RH Enoli Paredes Closer RH Ryan Pressly OAKLAND ATHLETICS 2020 | 36-24, 1st in West Last year in playoffs | 2020 Matt Chapman and Matt Olson give the A’s a potent right-left middle-of-the-order punch and premium defense in the corner infield, and a solid rotation should keep Oakland in the playoff hunt. Lineup SS J.P. Crawford RF Mitch Haniger CF Kyle Lewis 3B Kyle Seager DH Ty France 2B Dylan Moore LF Taylor Trammell 1B Evan White C Tom Murphy Rotation LH Marco Gonzales LH Yusei Kikuchi LH James Paxton LH Justus Sheffield RH Chris Flexen RH Justin Dunn Setup RH Kendall Graveman Closer RH Rafael Montero TEXAS RANGERS 2020 | 22-38, 5th in West Last year in playoffs | 2016 The bullpen was expected to be a strength before injuries to projected closer Jose Leclerc, hard-throwing right-hander Jonathan Hernandez and left-handers Brett Martin and Joely Rodriguez.
History of this topic
Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to be ready to hit for opener in Japan, but not be on the mound
Associated Press
Shohei Ohtani will hit but not pitch in LA Dodgers season opener
CNNJuan Soto could decide on his next team before or during baseball’s winter meetings
Associated Press
Shohei Ohtani to Start in Game 3 of World Series
CNN
Shohei Ohtani in the Dodgers’ lineup for Game 3: ‘He wasn’t going to not be in there’
LA Times
Shohei Ohtani: The face of baseball shrugging off a betting scandal to keep making history
The Independent
Historic Shohei Ohtani home-run baseball put up at auction for record price
The Independent
Shohei Ohtani ‘could end up at 60-60.’ His ex-team, Angels, may post worst record in history
LA TimesShohei Ohtani returns to Anaheim with an RBI triple in the Dodgers’ 6-2 win over the Angels
Associated Press
Shohei Ohtani's return to Angel Stadium showed Dodgers fit him
LA Times
Could Angels have kept Shohei Ohtani? Their non-offer lingers ahead of his Anaheim return
LA TimesShohei Ohtani steals 3 bases to reach the 30-30 club
Associated Press
Shohei Ohtani stays hot, crushing another homer as Dodgers split series with Angels
LA Times
Shohei Ohtani retired a meme by joining a team with other heroes
LA Times
Angels play the Astros in first of 3-game series
Associated PressShohei Ohtani not in Dodgers’ starting lineup vs. Padres because of back tightness
Associated Press
Column: Dave Roberts does his job: Protecting Shohei Ohtani from himself
LA Times
Angels struggled with Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon. How much worse can they get?
LA Times
Column: Mike Trout’s latest injury puts floundering Angels between a rock and a hard place
LA Times
Shohei Ohtani gets booed by Toronto fans, then smacks a homer to spark Dodgers’ win
LA Times
Shohei Ohtani gets warm reception in Anaheim before Dodgers lose to Angels
LA TimesOhtani and Dodgers rally to beat Padres 5-2 in season opener, first MLB game in South Korea
Associated Press
With Ohtani gone, how are the Angels? Baseball isn’t priority for Rendon. Trout may want out
LA Times
Why the Dodgers are making Shohei Ohtani their new No. 2 hitter, in front of Freddie Freeman
LA Times
Poised for improvement? Why Shohei Ohtani could be an even bigger offensive threat in 2024
LA Times
Shohei Ohtani impresses in first live batting practice since elbow surgery
LA Times
The Dodgers and everyone else: A not-so-Golden State for MLB
LA Times
ESPN's early season baseball schedule will be the Sho Show, featuring Shohei Ohtani and Dodgers
The Independent
Commentary: Shohei Ohtani is a victory for Dodgers’ bottom line. Can they do the same between the lines?
LA Times
Arte Moreno and Angels declined to match $700-million offer for Shohei Ohtani
LA Times
Shohei Ohtani’s $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is a steal.
Slate
Shohei Ohtani deferring $68 million annually on his 10-year Dodgers contract
LA Times
Dodgers Dugout: Now that Shohei Ohtani has broken the bank, what's next?
LA Times
A $900 ticket for Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers debut? Seat not included
LA Times
Shohei Ohtani gets the deal he deserves, and the Dodgers get a superstar — Law
New York TimesThe Dodgers gave Shohei Ohtani $700 million to hit and pitch — but also because he can sell
Associated Press
Shohei Ohtani Agrees To Record $700 Million, 10-year Contract With Dodgers
Huff Post
How Shohei Ohtani’s ‘unprecedented’ contract will help the Dodgers build their roster
LA Times
Shohei Ohtani agrees to record $700m, 10-year contract with LA Dodgers
Al JazeeraShohei Ohtani agrees to record $700 million, 10-year contract with Dodgers
Associated Press
Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers and oh no to the rest of NL West
LA Times
Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani joining Dodgers on record $700-million deal
LA Times
Shohei Ohtani agrees to a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers
NPR
With Shohei Ohtani gone, Angels have challenge of overhauling roster
LA Times
At Angel Stadium, fans mourn as signs of Shohei Ohtani are quickly wiped away
New York Times
Rosenthal: Shohei Ohtani’s $700M deal shows that baseball is far from broken
New York Times
It’s a quiet winter meetings for Angels as they await Shohei Ohtani’s decision
LA TimesShohei Ohtani met with the Dodgers in LA for 2-3 hours, manager Dave Roberts says
Associated Press
Shohei Ohtani’s status is major factor in Angels’ offseason plans
LA Times
The Dodgers want Shohei Ohtani. But how far will they go in a potential bidding war?
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