Pirates Manager Shelton: “I Was Too Focused on Throwing Strikes”
ANAHEIM – In an intense matchup between the Pirates and the Angels on the 19th, Pirates manager Derek Shelton expressed regret over his team’s encounter with the formidable Shohei Otani. Despite the Pirates ultimately prevailing with an 8-5 victory, Otani’s presence on the pitcher’s mound seemed to disrupt their rhythm.
Otani, known for his versatility as both a pitcher and hitter, proved to be a tough opponent for the Pirates. Shelton acknowledged, “Our batting lineup performed admirably. Especially Henry Davis, who managed to hit off one of the best pitchers in the world, or rather, the best pitcher in the world.”
However, Shelton revealed that his team faltered in their strategy against Otani, resulting in the loss of four runs. The starting pitcher, Oviedo, had kept the Angels at bay until the 3rd inning. But in the 4th inning, when Otani walked up to bat, Oviedo’s game rapidly unraveled, giving up five runs. Shelton attributed this downfall to his own insistence on throwing strikes and the pressure caused by Otani’s intimidating presence.
Reflecting on the game, Shelton pointed out, “I became too fixated on throwing strikes, which led to home runs from Mustakas and Cabbage. This disrupted Otani’s rhythm, affecting his performance at the plate.” Despite Otani not making a significant impact in terms of hits, recording no hits and three walks in one at-bat, his presence seemed to have a greater influence on the overall flow of the game than initially anticipated.
As the Pirates analyze their strategies and prepare for future matchups, Shelton recognizes the need for a more balanced approach when facing exceptional pitchers like Otani. While credit is due to the Pirates’ batting prowess, Shelton emphasizes the importance of finding the right balance in their approach to ensure future success.
Pirates manager Shelton ‘I was too aware of throwing strikes’
■ Angels 8-5 Pirates (22nd Japan time, Anaheim)
[PR]Live coverage of MLB in Abema! Shohei Otani, Masanao Yoshida, and other Japanese clashes and free highlights watch unlimited!
I wonder if the “threatening feeling” created by Angels pitcher Shohei Otani broke the rhythm… On the 19th (20th Japan time), Ohtani took part in a game against the Pirates at home at the same time. Pitching, he gave up 6 hits and 5 runs in the middle of the 7th inning, but the team won 8-5. Pirates manager Derek Shelton regretted Ohtani’s second at-bat.
The Pirates hitter has 4 homers off pitcher Ohtani. Coach Shelton said, “The batting line did a good job. (Especially) Henry (Davis) was great. I was able to hit from one of the best pitchers in the world, no, the best pitcher in the world.” On the other hand, he revealed that he lost in taking the starting pitcher and had four points.
Oviedo, the starting pitcher, didn’t get any runs until the 3rd inning, but when Otani walked in the 4th inning, he gave up 5 runs in no time. “Oh, the ball I was aiming for went off course. I returned it to a full count (I let it walk). The first three times were great, but (Otani got three balls) I started to feel like I had to throw a strike,” the manager suggested Ohtani’s nervous feeling.
Furthermore, he analyzed “I was too aware of throwing a strike, and I got hit with a home run (due to ball control against Mustakas and Cabbage),” and analyzed that Otani’s rhythm was out of order from the turn of the bat. Ohtani didn’t have an impactful result in this game, with no hits and three walks in one at-bat, but he seems to have had more influence on the flow of the game than expected.
(Full Account editorial section)
#Crazy #rhythm #Shohei #Ohtani.. #Hook #felt #enemy #general #Regrets #atbat #aware #Full #Account
