TOKYO — Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ star player, surprised fans by admitting he felt nervous playing a regular-season big-league game in his home country. Despite being impervious to nerves in most situations, Ohtani revealed that it took four or five innings for him to shake off his anxiety.
Ohtani had two hits and scored twice, showcasing his usual skill despite feeling on edge. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noticed a change in Ohtani’s demeanor, saying he was more emotional during the Japanese national anthem than usual.
The game also marked a historic moment for Japanese players in the league, as two Japanese pitchers faced each other for the first time on Opening Day. Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga both pitched well, with Imanaga throwing four hitless innings before being removed due to his pitch count.
Yamamoto thrived under the pressure of pitching in his home country, consistently hitting 98 mph with his fastball. He was a dominant force throughout five innings, showcasing improved confidence and conviction in his pitching.
The Dodgers’ victory was not without its challenges, as they were missing two key players due to illness and injury. Mookie Betts left Japan before the game, and Freddie Freeman was scratched just before kickoff due to a recurring rib injury.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding some of the teams’ players, Ohtani’s performance was captivating, with fans drawn in by his every movement. The Dodgers’ success in the series was also notable, with two Japanese players facing off for the first time on Opening Day.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44302586/shohei-ohtani-nervous-playing-tokyo-dodgers-win-opener