MIAMI — As he left the field for the top of the ninth inning and Team USA’s last chance to win the World Baseball Classic, Paul Goldschmidt knew he could hit to decide the game, but before him would be the defining moment of the tournament, the duel everyone wanted to see.
With Team Japan holding a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, Shohei Ohtani came in to close the win, and to do it he had to face Mike Trout.
MVP vs. MVP.
Angel vs. Angel.
“This is a movie,” Goldschmidt said coming into the dugout.