288 batting average in the second half, 13 HR, second in the league, and improved batting performance
On the 7th (Japan time 8th), pitcher Shohei Otani of the Angels started in the game against the hometown Tigers as “No. Although the team suffered a painful come-from-behind loss, they have mass-produced arches with 6 shots in the last 9 games. Following last season’s pace of 39 shots and 46 home runs in the season, reaching the milestone of 40 shots for the second consecutive year is in sight.
Slugger Otani has improved his condition. In 42 games in the second half, he hit 13 homers, second in the league. He has a batting average of .288 with 44 hits in 153 at-bats, a .639 slugging percentage that ranks second, and an OPS of 1.013 that ranks third in the league. The home run average was 17.53 in the first half, but it was 11.29 in the second half. Judge’s home run percentage in the second half of the game is 6.86, which is outstanding, but this is also the second best result in the league.
The presence of batters such as trout that hits back and forth will be behind the strong performance. Trout was on the injured list due to left rib cage inflammation before the All-Star game, but returned to the battle line against the Tigers on August 19 (20th). After his return, he batted .310 with 22 for 71, 8 home runs, and 11 RBIs. On this day, he is riding, such as shooting consecutive shots in 4 games, which is the longest in his career. 291 batting average, 6 homers, and 25 RBIs in the second half of the game.
Last season, he recorded 46 home runs, which was third in the league. In the first half of the game, he hit 33 home runs, leading the king alone. In particular, in the 71 games in the second half, it was conspicuous that the game could be avoided with 58 walks (15 avoidance), which is the best in the league. But this year is different. 22 walks in 44 games in the second half tied for seventh place in the league. Of course, the increase in walks is not a bad thing, but compared to last season, I have the impression that the opponent’s battery is winning.
The MVP contender Judges is on pace to break the league-record 61 home runs set by Roger Maris in 1961. Home runs and RBIs are far behind, but “How far can you fill the gap with the judges?” A 40-round season would have the greatest impact on MVP voters.
(Masaya Kotani)