Twice last month, teams intentionally walked Shohei Ohtani to face Mookie Betts instead. Both times, the eight-time All-Star and former MVP emphatically reacted after making them pay.
There was an extra-inning home run on Sept. 3 against the Angels, a game-sealing, three-run blast in which Betts pointed at the sky, emotionally high-fived his teammates and gestured with his hands all the way back to the dugout — seemingly saying, that’s why you don’t pitch to me.
Then, there was a ninth-inning single on Sept. 15 in Atlanta, another game-sealing knock in which Betts gave an exaggerated clap, then pointed to his dugout — as if to say, here we go again.