Seven of the nine players in the Dodgers’ batting lineup against the Angels on Tuesday are MLB All-Stars. The first five are reigning NL All-Stars. There is no escaping dominant batters when facing the Dodgers.
The Angels quickly learned that lesson in the first game of their home series against the Dodgers.
Angels’ manager Ron Washington opted to intentionally walk Shohei Ohtani, which is no surprise as Ohtani leads the National League with 44 home runs this season. However, that placed two runners on base for six-time Silver Slugger Mookie Betts.
“You’re picking poison when you deal with the first three hitters,” Washington said in a post-game press conference.