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LOS ANGELES, July 10 (Reuters) – Eduardo Rodríguez vs Ohtani reignites the Venezuela-Japan World Baseball Classic grudge match at Dodger Stadium on Friday night. The Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander makes his third start of the 2026 season against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers, a matchup that instantly recalls their epic 2023 WBC clash.
Rodríguez has owned the Dodgers in 2026. In two previous starts, he allowed just 3 earned runs over 14 innings, striking out 12. His changeup—the “joya” pitch—has neutralized a lineup that leads the NL in OPS. “He challenges Ohtani every time,” said Líder en Deportes, quoting Rodríguez’s pre-game “reta” (challenge).
The WBC tension is palpable. In 2023, Rodríguez faced Ohtani with the game on the line in Tokyo. The at-bat ended with a groundout, but the animosity lingered. Friday’s regular-season duel mirrors that high-stakes environment. The crowd expects fireworks.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: What is the grudge match between Eduardo Rodríguez and Ohtani about?
- A: The grudge stems from their 2023 World Baseball Classic showdown in Tokyo, where Rodríguez faced Ohtani in a high-stakes at-bat that ended with a groundout. The tension carries over into their 2026 regular-season meeting at Dodger Stadium.
- Q: How has Eduardo Rodríguez performed against the Dodgers in 2026?
- A: Rodríguez has been dominant, allowing only 3 earned runs over 14 innings in two starts, with 12 strikeouts. His changeup, called the ‘joya’ pitch, has effectively neutralized the Dodgers’ NL-leading OPS lineup.
- Q: Why is this matchup generating so much excitement?
- A: The WBC history adds a layer of intensity, and Rodríguez’s pre-game challenge (‘reta’) to Ohtani heightens the drama. Fans expect a fiery duel that mirrors the high-stakes environment of international competition.