With Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing slated to work with starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani at Dodger Stadium on Friday night, pre-game speculation centered on additional on-field drama.
During Ohtani’s previous start at Target Field on June 24, the two-way star and the second-year backstop displayed little chemistry, but a lot of emotion. From the first inning against the host Minnesota Twins, the teammates had open disputes on pitch calls.
Ohtani clearly missed his primary catcher, Will Smith, but with the hobbled All-Star sidelined, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wants to see Dalton grow with the staff ace.
“Dalton understands that the job of a catcher is to be a servant to the pitcher,” Roberts said.
In the second inning, Ohtani and Rushing disagreed on an ABS Challenge System call and the catcher called for the four-time NL MVP to calm down.
For the record, Ohtani was right.
Ohtani also established a monthly MLB record, connecting on at least eight home runs as a batter and going 3-0 as a pitcher.
Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani seeks less drama versus Padres
Dodgers teammates Mookie Betts and Max Muncy discussed the on-field situation between Ohtani and Rushing during the “On Base with Mookie Betts” podcast.
“It was a big-time learning moment for both Shohei and Dalton,” Muncy said, referring to the Dodgers’ 4-3 win over the Twins.
As a locker-room leader, Muncy understands Rushing’s learning curve. The 2022 second-round draft pick entered Friday’s start with 106 games of MLB experience.
“These are the moments that make you better,” Muncy said. “Shohei’s also getting used to new catchers and that’s just baseball.”
Originally scheduled to start against the Athletics on Wednesday, Ohtani, who will make his sixth straight NL All-Star appearance later this month, earned two extra days of rest. He earned pitching wins during his past two starts, despite not having his “stuff.” The June 17 and 24 outings marked his first two wins when he allowed more than one earned run.
Will Ohtani and Rushing get along Friday night against the San Diego Padres?