The Freeway Series is on, but with a stark difference between the two sides of Los Angeles. The lights are brighter on the Dodgers’ side and dimmer with the Angels. Reason? Shohei Ohtani. Yes, as the Dodgers prepare to clash with the Angels, Ohtani looms larger than life in the middle of it all.

It’s a scene that must feel downright painful for Angels owner Arte Moreno. Well, why not? Could you imagine the Dodgers trading away Ohtani now? No, because they have identified his worth. Back in 2023, the Angels failed to do the same. So, the former crown jewel of Anaheim is now the face of a powerhouse team that the Angels can only aspire to be.

As the Dodgers surge with Ohtani at the helm, the Angels are left looking in the rearview mirror, haunted by a masterpiece they failed. This isn’t just about losing a star. It’s about missing an era.

“They fell short and they missed an opportunity.“

MLB insider Ken Rosenthal recently went back to Ohtani’s Angels days, offering insight into how the team failed him. Well, by failing, Rosenthal means not just on the diamond, but behind the scenes, too.

Rosenthal added how the Angels had a chance to build a global empire around Ohtani. Yet while they surely profited from Ohtani’s presence from 2018-23, they failed to capitalize fully. For instance, the Angels missed the opportunity to attract more Japanese talent, secure a deep roster of Japanese sponsorships, and outmaneuver the Dodgers in the race for international dominance.

The list of the Angels failing to capitalize on Ohtani continues. As he neared free agency in 2023, Moreno had multiple opportunities to authorize a trade of the two-way superstar. Padres standout Jackson Merrill was reportedly among the prospects on the table. But again, the Angels fumbled!

On-field failure?

Well, Ohtani scored 44 HRs and 95 RBIs in 2023 for the Angels and 54 HRs and 130 RBIs for the Dodgers. The credit goes to the Dodgers’ development approach that helped Ohtani alter his hitting stance. Again, a miss from the Angels.

Are you getting the points that the Angels missed while the Dodgers ticked all? So, you can imagine the Angels as dominant and popular as the Dodgers today, if they could only use Shotime. And now, it’s time for the Angels to witness the brilliance of Shohei Ohtani from the opposite end.

Ohtani is back to his best after his initial slump

Remember, just a few days ago, we were discussing the slump Ohtani is facing. He was not hitting homers, and fans were skeptical about his MVP race this year, except the man himself.

Eventually, Shohei Ohtani has found his groove, and now it seems like he’s making up for lost time in a hurry.

With a two-homer performance this week against the A’s, Ohtani now sits atop the MLB home run leaderboard with 15, tied with Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber. Now, you would also agree that it’s a dramatic turnaround for the Dodgers’ two-way star.

Well, it was about time for Ohtani to make a comeback.

And while matching Judge in the season-long home run race, Ohtani quietly passed him in another power category. According to MLB insider Sarah Langs, Ohtani has hit 40 home runs since the 2024 All-Star break. It is more than any player in the majors over that stretch. Judge trails just behind with 39. A neck-to-neck battle, indeed!

No doubt, the Dodgers are proving to be successful in cashing returns on their Japanese sensation. Something the Angels still might regret. And though he’s not pitching just yet as he recovers from elbow surgery, his bat is once again one of the most dangerous in the game.

The early-season rust appears to be gone. The swing is back. And so is Shohei Ohtani!