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MLBFeature
Side by side Shohei Ohtani comparison shows why his sweeper pitch is almost unhittable
TL;DR
Shohei Ohtani's 101 mph fastball and 88.8 mph sweeper pitch were showcased in a side-by-side comparison, attracting nearly 500,000 views. The analysis highlights how Ohtani struck out Jose Altuve during a critical moment in a game against the Astros.
Key points
- Shohei Ohtani showcased a 101 mph fastball and 88.8 mph sweeper.
- The side-by-side comparison attracted nearly 500,000 views.
- Ohtani struck out Jose Altuve during a critical game moment.
Shohei OhtaniLos Angeles DodgersHouston AstrosJose Altuve
Side by side Shohei Ohtani comparison shows why his sweeper pitch is almost unhittable originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
When Rob Friedman, the baseball analytics account known online as @PitchingNinja, posted his side-by-side overlay of Shohei Ohtani's 101 mph fastball and 88.8 mph sweeper Tuesday night, nearly 500,000 people clicked to watch it. It's easy to see why.
In the fifth inning of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 2-1 road loss to the Houston Astros, the home team threatened to break a 2–0 lead with runners on first and third and two outs. Shohei Ohtani escaped the jam by striking out Jose Altuve, one of the game's best contact hitters.
Ohtani set the tone with a 101 mph fastball before burying an 88.8 mph sweeper for the third strike. Friedman's side-by-side overlay later showed why Altuve was so fooled.
The 31-year-old Dodgers pitcher released both pitches from the same arm slot, making them look identical until the sweeper broke late and landed nowhere near the strike zone. That 12-mph velocity gap and 2,967 rpm spin made the late break even nastier.
Q&A
What makes Shohei Ohtani's sweeper pitch so effective?
Ohtani's sweeper pitch is effective due to its significant speed difference from his fastball, making it difficult for hitters to adjust.
How did Shohei Ohtani perform against the Houston Astros?
Ohtani struck out Jose Altuve, a top contact hitter, during a crucial moment in the game, helping the Dodgers avoid a scoring threat.
What was the reaction to Rob Friedman's side-by-side overlay of Ohtani's pitches?
The overlay garnered nearly 500,000 views, indicating strong interest in Ohtani's pitching mechanics and effectiveness.
