2023-07-22 08:37:01
“Did the team tell you not to trade?”
■ Angels 8-5 Pirates (Japan time 22nd, Anaheim)
On the 21st (Japan time 22nd), pitcher Shohei Otani of the Angels scored his eighth win of the season, allowing six hits and five runs in the middle of the seventh inning once morest the hometown Pirates. He suffered four hits in one game, his worst, but was protected by the batting lineup’s four shots and eight runs. He batted .305 with no hits and three walks in one at bat. The team won four games in a row, leaving them four games behind the wild card qualifiers.
The deadline for August 1st (2nd) was approaching, and Otani’s surrounding coverage on this day was “victory neglect”. Of the 18 questions, 6 were related to his career, but it’s clear that every media wants to hear the thoughts of the star in the midst of it. When asked, “Did you ever think that you were pitching for the last time as an Angels pitcher?” Otani replied with a puzzled expression, “I don’t think so.” There were also straight-ball questions such as, “Do you want to re-sign with the Angels?” and “Did the team tell you not to trade?” It was 13 minutes with a strange atmosphere.
An MVP call was sent from the stand every time at bat, and following leaving the plate in the middle of the 7th inning, he was greeted by standing up. Fans with “STAY ANGELS” boards. If it becomes a trade release, it is visible that the number of spectators will drop sharply. It is only natural that Moreno, who holds the key to his future career, wants to stay until the end of this season, looking ahead to a new contract for next season.
And advancing to the postseason is never a dream. Four games behind the Blue Jays, who are in the wild card range. “I want to go to the playoffs with this team, and I still want to win there.” At the end of July, the Blue Jays and the Braves, who have the highest winning percentage in the National League, are ahead, but what is more important is the hometown Pirates game on the 22nd and 23rd (23rd and 24th) and the three consecutive games once morest the enemy territory, the Tigers, starting on the 25th (26th). If you miss it here, the possibility of turning to the seller on the trading front increases.
“Last year and the year before last, we were completely on the side of the seller. To be honest, we were on the side of watching the team’s main players being traded to other teams, so the morale as a team is completely different. If we are in a position like this year or in a position where we have no chances at all, I think the spirit of one play, one play will change as a team.”
The long-awaited postseason advancement continues. The surroundings are noisy with trades, trades, but there is no doubt that Otani with maximum motivation can be seen.
(Masaya Kotani)
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#8th #win #Shohei #Otani #possibility #shock #transfer #minutes #strange #atmosphere #FullCount
