Getty UPDATE7:57 PM PT -- The World Baseball Classic ended up coming down to Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout after all ... and the pitcher got the better of the hitter -- winning the tournament for Japan.
UPDATEOhtani came in to start the top of the ninth with a 3-2 lead. He walked Jeff McNeil, but then induced a double play -- bringing up the moment every baseball fan wanted to see ... him vs. Trout with the WBC on the line.
UPDATETHE FINAL OUT.
What a moment for Shohei Ohtani and Team Japan 🇯🇵🏆 pic.twitter.com/8DdTDhkryk
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 22, 2023 @MLBONFOX UPDATEThe guys battled to a 3-2 count ... but Ohtani ended up striking his Angels teammate out -- locking down the victory. He then celebrated like crazy with his teammates.
UPDATEJapan never lost once in its run to the title. Congrats!!!
Shohei Ohtani has been cleared by the Angels to pitch in the World Baseball Classic final against Team USA on Tuesday night ... paving the way for a potential dream matchup against Mike Trout in the championship game.
The Halos star last threw for Japan in the tourney on March 16 against Italy ... and many thought that would be his last time on the mound in the huge baseball event -- as he's still ramping up his right arm in preparation for the 2023 MLB season.
Sho Strikeout 5 ✅
Shohei Ohtani earns strikeout #5 against Team Italy in World Baseball Classic action for Team Japan. 😎
Credit: MLB/Fox#大谷翔平 #Ohtani #Angels #WorldBaseballClassic #WBC pic.twitter.com/XSHzUZvHra
But, with Japan beating Mexico in a thriller on Monday night -- Ohtani expressed interest in appearing in relief for his home country against America in the finale ... and Angels brass said on Tuesday morning they'd allow it to go down if the opportunity arises.
Of course, there is risk involved. Ohtani has never thrown on just four days rest ... and he is less than five years removed from Tommy John surgery. Plus, he's expected to also bat in the heart of Japan's lineup for the entirety of the contest too.
But LA general manager Perry Minasian told reporters he'd be comfortable if Ohtani needed to throw an inning or so to help his team secure a WBC win.
"He's the last guy on planet Earth I'm worried about," Minasian said. "He's going to be prepared. He's going to have an idea of what he needs to do. If he does decide to pitch, I have the utmost confidence he will be ready to pitch and be fine."
GettyManager Phil Nevin echoed Minasian's comments ... saying he was fired up over the possibility of seeing Ohtani vs. Trout on the big stage.
"Who wouldn't want to see the two best players in the world go at it, right?" he said. "Then we'd have a lot of fun talking about it the rest of the year."
Ohtani -- who some believe could sign a $500 MILLION contract next offseason -- is currently scheduled to be the Angels' Opening Day starter on March 30.
The WBC final, meanwhile, kicks off in just a couple hours at 7 p.m. ET in Miami.
Originally Published -- 12:48 PM PT
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