"Shohei Ohtani won round 1" - When Mike Trout vowed to get one back after Team USA's agonizing 3-2 loss to Japan at the 2023 World Baseball Classic

Ahead of the 2023 season, Mike Trout and Team USA were looking to defend their World Baseball Classic title. They won the latest tournament back in 2017 but knew going back-to-back would be tough.

Trout and Team USA took care of Team Venezuela and then Team Cuba to reach the championship game. It would be here that they would face Shohei Ohtani and Samurai Japan, a team that is always a tough test.

It was a fantastic game fit for a championship. Down one run with two outs, Trout found himself facing Ohtani. With the game on the line, the two-way phenom struck Trout out swinging. However, Trout does not see this as a one-time matchup.

"Everybody wanted to see it. You know, he won round one. You can't take anything away from him. Just to be able to come out of the bullpen as a starter, [that's] Sho-Time. Hats off to them guys over there. It was a tough night for us but we'll be back," said Trout.

Trout admitted that Ohtani had gotten the better of him, and he had nothing but good things to say about him and Samurai Japan. This marked the third time Japan had won the WBC (2006, 2009, 2023).

Team USA's manager was impressed with how Shohei Ohtani closed the door on Mike Trout and the rest of his club

World Baseball Classic - Championship-Japan vs USA - Mike Trout (Photo via IMAGN)

Shohei Ohtani showed the baseball world just how good he was as he shut the door on Mike Trout and Team USA's chances late. Many starting pitchers struggle coming out of the bullpen, especially with all the pressure.

This was not a problem for Ohtani as he was able to buckle down early. After walking Jeff McNeil, he got Mookie Betts to hit into a double play, leaving just Trout to get through, impressing Team USA's manager Mark DeRosa.

"I mean, he did not seem rattled walking Jeff McNeil on a pitch down, not rattled that three MVPs were coming up to bat. I've analyzed him for years since he's come over here. What he's doing in the game is probably what 90% of the guys in that clubhouse did in Little League" said DeRosa.

Baseball fans will not have to wait long until they see the two-way phenom returning to the mound. He is expected to return to the mound in 2025.