Angels News: MLB Expert Believes Shohei Ohtani Has Never Pitched a Meaningful Game

Angels fans are not going to like this one.

The game of baseball is not like others. With the speed of matches involving a lot of stoppage and new lineups being used everyday, it's really hard for one sole player to be able to get wins all by themselves.

Nobody knows this better than Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels. He has a Rookie of the Year award, MVP award, Silver Slugger award, and has been named a finalist for numerous other ones but has zero playoff appearances to show for it. The 28-year-old has taken it upon himself to not only dominate the plate but also the pitching mound, a feat few have done.

We finally did get to see Ohtani participate in multiple meaningful games not too long ago as he played for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic and led them to an undefeated record en route to a championship. He batted .435 at the plate and recorded eight RBI's along with posting a 1.86 ERA. Ohtani also gave us one of the most iconic plays ever as he struck out teammate Mike Trout in the very last play of the championship match.

OHTANI STRIKES OUT TROUT TO WIN THE WBC FINAL 😲 #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/5pudorQph8

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 22, 2023

However, it appears that not everybody is sold on the greatness that is Ohtani just yet. Esteemed MLB analyst Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo does not think that he has taken the pitching mound in a meaningful in his career yet.

"In his career, has Ohtani ever pitched, and it's not his fault, has he ever pitched an important game post All-Star break in his career?," said Russo. "He has not."

(Via MLB Now)

Russo was then asked about the WBC championship game that he closed out and he still was not budging on his take.

"One inning.. one inning? No, that does not count," said Russo.

(Via MLB Now)

All eyes are without a doubt on Ohtani and the rest of the Angels roster to prove people like Russo wrong. He is too talented and too far in his career to not be battling other contenders come October.