Angels: Shohei Ohtani makes Opening Day lineup; what to expect

Despite a not-so-impressive Spring Training, the Los Angeles Angels have stuck to their guns and given Shohei Ohtani a spot on the Opening Day lineup.

Shohei Ohtani entered Spring Training as the most polarizing and interesting prospects to watch. The Los Angeles Angels had a true unicorn on their hands; a two-way player that has not been seen since the days of Babe Ruth. Ohtani was the most polarizing player since Bo Jackson, who played both football and baseball professionally.

Ohtani was expected to be an ace on the mound a decent power-hitting option in the lineup. So much so that the Angels made space by trading C.J. Cron to open up first base for Albert Pujols.

Spring Training wasn’t so friendly to Ohtani, though. As the team heads into Opening Day, the same mystique around Ohtani had faded. No longer was he the savior of the Angels, instead, he was a potential candidate to be sent down.

Ohtani made the Opening Day roster, though. The Halos had far too much committed to Ohtani to give up on him this early. A slow start could send Ohtani to AAA; but the Angels are going to at least give him a shot early in the season.

That chance starts on Opening Day. Ohtani has been named the Opening Day designated hitter for the Angels, hitting in the eight-hole ahead of Martin Maldonado.

The Los Angeles Angels are facing right-handed pitcher Kendall Graveman. Shohei Ohtani will get the favorable righty vs. lefty matchup in his first MLB game. Graveman is not the best against left-handed hitters, either, as left-handers hit a career .284 against him.

Ohtani hit just .125 in Spring Training this season. The gaps in his swing were exposed, pitchers pounded fastballs inside and Ohtani was unable to catch up to it. Plus, the split was not favorable to Ohtani; who went 2-19 with five strikeouts against right-handed pitchers this spring.

However, I am going to give Ohtani the benefit of the doubt in his first regular season MLB game. The adrenaline will be flowing. With some additional time off, Ohtani likely was able to focus on the offensive side of his game.

I do not expect a big game out of Ohtani, but I do see him getting his first MLB hit. That hit will be a pretty impactful one, as well.

Shohei Ohtani Opening Day prediction: 1-3, BB, RBI

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In the mid-to-late innings of the game, Ohtani is going to get a shot with two outs and a runner in scoring position. Shohei Ohtani will come up big with a seeing-eye single through the infield that scores the run and gives him his first hit and RBI.