Shohei Ohtani is without a doubt one of, if not the best player in all of baseball currently.
However, the two-way star has been struggling a little bit on the mound as of late.
Though he earned the win for the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night and pitched into the seventh inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates touched him for five runs.
His ERA ballooned to 3.71 on the season after Friday night’s clunker.
In fact, he owns somewhat of a shocking mark over his previous three starts.
According to Jon Morosi, the two-way superstar has allowed 13 earned runs in that span.
That’s the most he has allowed over a three-start period this season.
Shohei Ohtani has allowed 13 ER over his last 3 starts, the most for him in any 3-start stretch this season.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 22, 2023
This is certainly a shocking mark.
Ohtani had been pitching quite well earlier this season.
However, he owns a 4.65 ERA over his last seven starts and a 4.37 mark over his last 15.
Still, Ohtani is on pace to repeat his MVP performance from 2021 and build off of another strong season last year.
His pitching has been suspect as of late.
The trade deadline is approaching, and there are several teams who will come calling the Angels about the two-way star’s availability.
But with the Angels having won four straight and coming to within four games of the third American League Wild Card spot, it is looking increasingly likely that Ohtani will not be traded at this year’s deadline.
The Angels now own a record of 50-48 as they head into Saturday’s game with the Pirates.
Ohtani has been struggling on the mound, but could certainly turn it around soon.
NEXT: MLB Highlights Shohei Ohtani's Pursuit Of History
