Angels' surge could end Ohtani Deadline speculation

ANAHEIM -- With the way the Angels have been playing -- winning four in a row and five out of six -- it’s becoming less and less likely they become sellers at the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline and move two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.

But there’s at least an outside chance that Ohtani made his last home start for the Angels in an 8-5 victory over the Pirates on Friday night, as his next outing is scheduled to come on the road ahead of the Deadline. Ohtani said it was something he wasn’t thinking about, but the 40,309 fans at Angel Stadium did their best to make him feel special, serenading him with loud MVP chants throughout the night, including when he exited his start with one out in the seventh.

“That did not cross my mind at all,” Ohtani said through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. “Obviously, I'm a part of the Angels at this moment and feel like we're in a decent spot to make a playoff run. So I try not to really think about that.”

He added he was grateful for the ovations and chants he received from the fans but felt he could’ve pitched better.

“I was very happy to hear those, obviously,” Ohtani said. “But at the same time, I wish I performed better to give them a better show.”

Ohtani, the heavy favorite to win the AL MVP Award for the second time in three seasons, admittedly had a rough outing, allowing five runs on six hits, including surrendering a career-worst four homers.

Manager Phil Nevin and Ohtani both said the right middle finger blister/fingernail issue that has bothered the right-hander in each of his last three starts, wasn’t a concern this time out, and that he just struggled with his location.

Despite Ohtani giving up five runs for a third straight start to see his ERA rise from 3.03 to 3.71, the Angels were able to come away with another critical victory. They’re now 50-48 and four games back of the Blue Jays for the third and final AL Wild Card spot and right in the mix with the Red Sox and Yankees.

If the Angels play well over the next week, they could not only keep Ohtani, but also be buyers at the Trade Deadline. But if they falter, they could sell and ultimately trade Ohtani, who is set to be a free agent.

Ohtani said he hasn’t had any recent meetings with the front office about a potential extension and also hasn’t been officially assured that he won’t be traded.

“We never really had a sit-down talk like that,” he said “We’re in midseason and I want to focus on the season and block everything out. Like I said earlier, we’re in a decent spot to make a playoff run and that’s what I’m focused on at the moment.”

Ohtani left to a standing ovation despite allowing four homers, including two to rookie Henry Davis and back-to-back blasts in the fourth. It was the first time that Ohtani allowed two homers to the same player in a game in his Major League career.

Nevin said he believed Ohtani was dealing with some fatigue, as he reached base four times, including via three walks and scored from first on a double from Mickey Moniak in the fourth. Nevin removed Ohtani after 87 pitches, his third-lowest pitch total this season.

“He left some pitches up and they got hit, but his finger was fine,” Nevin said. “He ran the bases four times today and the more times he gets on base, the more the fatigue factors in. He’s human. But he’s our ace and a stud. I can’t wait to see him pitch next time out.”

The offense came through in a big way, as the Angels hit four blasts of their own, giving them a club record 19 straight games with a homer. Mike Moustakas hit a three-run shot and Trey Cabbage connected on his first career Major League homer as part of a five-run fourth. Zach Neto added a leadoff homer in the fifth before Taylor Ward smacked a two-run blast in the same inning to give the Angels some breathing room.

“Being able to pick up Ohtani after he’s done so much throughout the year and his entire career and help him out was awesome,” Moustakas said. “He gave up a couple homers, but I thought he threw the ball well.”