Things don’t get any easier for the Royals, who’ll use an opener against Shohei Ohtani
Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. had something better than a first-row seat to the epic World Baseball Classic championship game. He was in the Team USA dugout when it came down to Shohei Ohtani against Mike Trout.
Ohtani struck out Trout to end the game as Team Japan won the WBC title.
“I think it’s what the whole baseball world wanted to see: Ohtani vs. Trout. I was on the other end of it,” Witt said. “So now I gotta flip the script and now go against him. I was actually on first base when he was on the mound (in the title game), so you’ve just got to compete against him.”
Ohtani is set to start for the Angels on Friday night in Anaheim when they open a three-game series against the Royals.
The Royals have lost six straight and are last in the AL Central with a 4-15 record, so getting things turned around won’t be easy against Ohtani, who is 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA in four starts.
Ohtani has 27 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched. He’s allowed six hits but 13 walks. Witt is up for the challenge.
“It’s gonna be a lot of fun,” Witt said. “Those are the moments that you want, you want to be in that spotlight facing those guys. You want to be facing the (Rangers’ Jacob) deGroms. You want to be facing the Ohtanis and playing those guys, so make the most of it for sure.“
The Royals will use an opener in Friday’s game. Right-hander Taylor Clarke, who has a 6.75 ERA in seven relief appearances, will start the game. Lefty Ryan Yarbrough will then take the ball.
Friday would have been Zack Greinke’s turn to pitch, but the Royals are making the change because of starter Kris Bubic’s injury.
Bubic was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday because of a left flexor strain in his arm. Bubic is getting a second opinion about the injury and left the Royals pondering how to proceed in his absence.
For Friday, the Royals will stitch together a pitching plan against the Angels, who will counter with the best player on the planet.
Some Royals fans see Friday’s game will be David vs. Goliath.
Oh, and the Angels also have Trout in the outfield. He’s batting .302 with three home runs, and was considered the best baseball player on the planet before Ohtani joined the Angels.
