Ohtani pitched 4 1/3 innings of five-hit, four-run ball against the Angels. He gave up up a homer to Taylor Ward and a two-run double to Zach Neto, but he also fanned Mike Trout twice, getting his friend and fellow MVP the second time with his fastest pitch of the night — a 101 mph fastball in the fourth.

The last time Shohei Ohtani pitched against Mike Trout, there was a title on the line. With Samurai Japan on the cusp of winning the 2023 World Baseball Classic over Team USA, the stage was set for an electric matchup between two of the game's biggest superstars.