Shohei Ohtani Leaves Hitter Baffled On Nasty Pitch, Then Blasts MLB-Best 27th Home Run

Shohei Ohtani is in vintage form once again during his club's American League clash with the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.

The Angels star ended the top of the first inning in spectacular fashion by striking out White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. with an absolutely nasty splitter that left the veteran swinging at air and completely baffled.

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Shohei Ohtani, Vicious 88mph Splitter. 😤

2nd K in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/OPJR77yM5E

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 28, 2023

The 2021 American League MVP has struck out six of the first 12 batters he has faced through the first game’s four innings, bringing his season strikeout total to 123 in just 93 innings this season.

Ohtani, who ranks fourth in the majors in strikeouts, entered the game with a 6–3 record while sporting a solid 3.13 ERA.

In the bottom of the first, Ohtani added to his major league-leading home run total when he crushed a fastball from White Sox starter Michael Kopech.

Ohtani’s massive blast, his 27th of the year, staked the Angels to a 1–0 lead as they look to take the first two games of a three-game home set with Chicago..

Ohtani's 27th homer on the 27th 🤯#GoHalos pic.twitter.com/10iFB1s12J

— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) June 28, 2023