Shohei ohtani Y Yu darvish are two international icons who spent parts of their careers playing with the Nippon-Ham Fighters in baseball from Japan, before reaching the USA and start making an impact on MLB. They’ve accomplished a lot in the majors, but they have never faced. That could change in the next few days.
Darvish was selected to the National League team in the All-Star Game 2021, after an excellent first half in which he has posted a 2.65 ERA in 17 starts for the Fathers.
Ohtani, meanwhile, was chosen to be the AL’s starting designated hitter, but was also selected to pitch – being the first player in history to be called up to the Midseason Classic both as a hitter and as a pitcher representing the Angels.
After Darvish was selected, he was asked about the possibility of facing Ohtani on July 13.
“I hope it happens,” Darvish confessed. “If it happens, I think it will be a very good thing. But we cannot forget that it is not something just for us. The All-Star Game is much bigger. We have to keep that in perspective. “
For that reason, Darvish will not be explicit in calling for the matchup – which would likely occur in the early innings of the game, before Ohtani is removed from the designated spot. Angels manager Joe Maddon confirmed Monday that Ohtani will pitch as well, but when it will be unclear.
“How will it happen? It is not known yet, ”Maddon said. “There are different ways to do it”,
In the end, it may all be left to chance – if Darvish’s innings line up with Ohtani’s at-bat. In any case, of all the stories from the 2021 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Coors Field in Colorado, this is a striking one.
“I’m not sure how the country or other people will see us together at the All-Star Game,” Darvish said. “But I’m happy to be with him there.”
AJ Cassavell / MLB.com
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