OAKLAND — The spectacle that is “Ohtani-Mania” will reach its climax Sunday at the Coliseum when Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani makes his first major league start.
Having already seen the two-way star at the plate as he went 1 for 5 with a single on opening day, the A’s are in the dark when trying to forecast what type of pitcher they might see on the mound. A’s manager Bob Melvin can only go off the club’s scouting reports from Japan, which have Ohtani throwing a fastball that can reach up to 100 mph and featuring a nasty splitter.