Shohei Ohtani

In an interview last week, the LA Angels center fielder Mike Trout expressed his excitement about the possible match-up against his long-time ally and Los Angeles hitter Shohei Ohtani at the upcoming World Baseball Classic 2023.

Since the American MVP has seen up close how Ohtani had climbed up the MLB ladder to stardom, he is hopeful about the possible prospect of crossing the road with the Japanese champ.

The three-time American League MVP has signed to captain the United States in the upcoming WBC.

He was one of the very first stars to fight for the US title. And now he is on his way to a battle against the team Japan, led by his one and only LA Angels colleague Ohtani on the 8th of March.

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During an online interview, Trout said that he always gets a front-row seat when Ohtani pitches.

Adding that, he also said that every single person that he had talked to who faced him said that they don’t want to be in the same box as Shohei. So, the American outfielder is very excited to face him in a showdown of the year in the upcoming March.

It will be a dream for fans of WBC to witness the clash between Trout in the box and Ohtani on the mound.

While the United States is the defending champion, team Japan is the one with the most accolades. Team US will face the teams in Pool C which includes Canada, Mexico, GB, and Colombia.

On the other hand, Japan will face Pool B teams which comprise Australia, South Korea, China, and the Czech Republic.

Therefore, if the Angels are to meet the Diamonds on the pitch, it will be no sooner than the 19th of March during the semifinals. Moreover, to spice things up, Trout revealed that Shohei thinks of him as not the best player among his teammates in Japan.

Hence, the 31-year-old is more than excited to field against his fellow Angels hitter which will turn up the heat of the tournament and might even be one of the main highlights of the 2023 tournament, who knows?

The American MVP has massive regrets that he couldn’t play when the team US lifted the trophy back in 2017. Now as the opportunity looms over, he’s planning to seize the moment in the upcoming WBC, where he may potentially match up against Ohtani of team Japan.

Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout?@sarina & @GordonEdes are already excited about the potential showdown between @Angels teammates. @BallySportWest | #ShoTime pic.twitter.com/CqIIBpAfkU

— Bally Sports (@BallySports) January 12, 2023

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| Title: Mike Trout to Lock Horn With Long-Time Teammate Shohei Ohtani in the Upcoming WBC
| Author: Trisita Aich
| Date: Feb 28, 2023