LEADING OFF: Ohtani back on mound, Franco's smashing start

A look at what's happening around the majors on Wednesday:

WHO NEEDS A DH?

Two-way star Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound, taking on Kevin Gausman and the Giants at Angel Stadium.

Because the game is being played in an American League park, it has the potential to be the first where an NL team uses a designated hitter and the AL team does not. Ohtani has hit for himself in seven of his starts this season and went into Tuesday tied for the major league lead with 23 home runs.

Ohtani (3-1, 2.70 ERA) will make his 11th start, his most in any season since 2016, when he started 20 times in Japan.

Gausman (8-1) is tied for fourth in the majors in wins and is second with a 1.51 ERA.

“Looking at Ohtani in person and how physical and athletic he is, and then seeing it, you know, play out in the numbers, it’s no easy task to get that dude out,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “So we’ll have to be creative and figure out a way.”

FAST STARTS

Wander Franco homered and doubled in his major league debut for Tampa Bay, showing why the 20-year-old infielder was considered the best prospect in the minor leagues. Called up from Triple-A earlier in the day, Franco connected for a three-run homer against Boston at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night. ... Marlins lefty Trevor Rogers (7-3, 1.87), who leads all MLB rookies in wins, ERA and strikeouts, is scheduled to start at home against Toronto. Blue Jays outfielder George Springer went 0 for 4 on Tuesday night in a 2-1 win over Miami. He was activated after missing 66 of the first 70 games because of a strained right quadriceps.

AILING METS

Dealing with a whirlwind of injuries this week and all season, the New York Mets finally expect to get Michael Conforto back from a strained hamstring when they host Atlanta in the finale of a...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/LEADING-OFF-Ohtani-back-on-mound-Franco-s-16266804.php