Shohei Ohtani returned to the mound at Angel Stadium for the Dodgers in a dramatic Freeway Series chapter, delivering 4 1/3 innings of five-hit, four-run ball with seven strikeouts, including back-to-back Trout strikeouts in a high-profile duel. He also sparked the Dodgers with a leadoff triple and a run before taking the mound, illustrating the two-way spark that has defined his career. The night featured power from Will Smith and Mookie Betts, a homer by Taylor Ward off Ohtani, and Zach Neto’s two-run double that trimmed the Dodgers’ lead, keeping Anaheim in the mix. Ohtani’s velocity touched 101 mph at times, underscoring why fantasy managers remain fascinated by his ceiling, even as innings totals are managed after his 2023 elbow injury and 2024 Dodgers return. The crowd noise reflected the enduring drama of his split with the Angels, as both ex-teammates and rival fans watched his every at-bat and pitch. The series has already showcased Ohtani’s impact as both pitcher and hitter, with Dodgers hopeful that his two-way brilliance continues to shape every lineup decision and fantasy projection.

Ohtani’s return comes after a year in which he signed a decade-long, $700 million contract with the Dodgers and resumed mound work two months ago, gradually increasing his inning count while remaining the everyday DH and leadoff hitter. The events in Anaheim—Ohtani’s early run-scoring burst, Trout’s tough-night strikeouts, and Neto’s timely hit—highlight the ongoing narrative: a player who transcends positions and defies easy fantasy categorization. As the Dodgers chase wins, Ohtani’s dual threats will keep both real-world stakes and DFS intrigue high in each future start and at-bat.