LOS ANGELES — Tampa Bay Rays starter Nick Martinez, who has held Shohei Ohtani hitless in 10 career plate appearances, draws the assignment of slowing the four-time MVP as the two clubs open a three-game series at Dodger Stadium on Monday night at 10:10 p.m. ET.
The matchup pits one of baseball’s hottest hitters against one of its most consistent starters. Since May 12 — the day after he caused a stir by taking a rare on-field batting practice session — Ohtani is hitting .410 with a 1.286 OPS, both tops among qualified hitters. He has tallied eight home runs and 25 RBIs in that span and returned to the Dodgers’ lineup Saturday after a one-game absence due to left knee inflammation, hammering his 14th home run of the season on the second pitch of the game against the White Sox.
Martinez, a right-hander who signed a one-year, $13 million contract with Tampa Bay in February, has been splendid through 13 starts, posting a 6-2 record with a 2.43 ERA. He has allowed three runs or fewer in all but one start, and the Rays are 10-3 when he takes the mound.
Ohtani’s history against Tampa Bay, however, tilts heavily in his favor. He carries a .364 batting average with a 1.213 OPS and 11 home runs in 32 career games against the Rays. One of his most iconic moments came against Tampa Bay on Aug. 23, 2024, when he clubbed a walk-off grand slam to become the sixth member of baseball’s 40-40 club.
The Rays and Dodgers enter the series holding two of the five best records in baseball. The three-game set continues Tuesday and Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, with Monday’s opener airing exclusively on ESPN.