TOKYO (AP) — This is the Shohei Ohtani effect. Ohtani put on a giant show in batting practice hours before he hit a grand slam in the second inning — in the first he doubled on the first pitch of the game but didn’t score — as Japan hammered Taiwan 13-0 in Pool C at the World Baseball Classic.

Ohtani hit a grand slam in the second inning — in the first he doubled on the first pitch of the game but didn’t score — as Japan hammered Taiwan 13-0 in Pool C at the World Baseball Classic.

Shohei Ohtani was a huge part of that performance, knocking in five runs and coming a triple short of the cycle.

The 2026 World Baseball Classic is underway and we’ve already seen a ton of action from the world’s best players. There’s something so refreshing about being able to watch teams from all around the planet and seeing said teams send the best players they’ve got to face off in a tournament.

Before the top prospects in the Athletics' organization head out from Spring Training in Arizona to begin the regular season at their respective levels, they’ll participate in Spring Breakout, a serie...

Ohtani is level with Judge (15 percent) atop the list of favorites to win the MVP award.