PHOENIX — Shohei Ohtani’s life is dramatically completely different since he modified uniforms, placing up historic numbers for a marquee franchise, enjoying in his first playoff race, and now for the primary time Tuesday can be getting into the identical stadium the place he turned a global sensation.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are opening a two-game sequence in opposition to Ohtani’s former employers, the Los Angeles Angels, and enjoying at Angel Stadium for the primary time since he departed for a record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract, the richest in North American sports activities.

The Angels and their followers can solely watch in envy when Ohtani is available in, enjoying for the staff with the most effective file in baseball, and placing up numbers no hitter has ever accrued earlier than in baseball historical past with 44 homers and 46 stolen bases.

Even probably the most diehard Angels followers can’t boo Ohtani, and even blame him, for leaving for the crosstown rival Dodgers.

“For me, it’s a particular place,” mentioned Ohtani, who stole three bases within the Dodgers’ 11-6 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. “I spent numerous time at Anaheim Stadium. … I’m simply actually wanting ahead to having the ability to spend a while at a ballpark that I spent most of my profession.”

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The Angels, in fact, might have stored him.

Ohtani even gave the Angels a final likelihood to match the Dodgers’ provide.

The decision was made out of Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, to Angels proprietor Arte Moreno within the waning days of negotiations.

If the Angels matched, Ohtani would nonetheless be carrying an Angels uniform.

The Angels handed.

Ohtani — a human money-making machine for the Dodgers and overwhelming favourite to win the Nationwide League MVP award — has no laborious emotions.

Matter of truth, he’s grateful.

If the Angels had matched the provide, he wouldn’t be experiencing the best trip of his life, along with his recognition in Los Angeles nearing Magic Johnson proportions.

Was he stunned the Angels handed?

“Not likely,” mentioned Ohtani, by means of his interpreter, who additionally had the identical provide from the Toronto Blue Jays. “I’m simply grateful and grateful for the groups that ended up providing the contract as a result of that’s a mirrored image of what they consider me. I’m grateful for the groups that evaluated me extremely.’’

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So, if the Angels matched, would he positively be enjoying for them the remainder of his profession?

“Arduous to inform,’’ Ohtani mentioned. “Clearly, the provide didn’t come to fruition. So it’s actually a state of affairs the place it was extra of a ‘if-they-did state of affairs.’ So, I actually can’t communicate to that.’’

When requested why the Angels didn’t have extra success with him enjoying alongside Mike Trout, notably with him additionally pitching and profitable two MVP awards, he blamed himself as a lot as anybody, citing accidents. He pitched in solely two video games over two seasons recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure, and missed 55 video games the final two seasons.

“There have been seasons the place we performed properly as a staff,” Ohtani mentioned, “however there have been additionally seasons the place I didn’t actually play in any respect. And if I did in these conditions, perhaps the outcomes would have been completely different.”

Whereas the Angels can be sitting house for the ten^th consecutive yr and not using a playoff berth, the Dodgers now are on the point of their 12^th NL West title in 13 years, profitable three of 4 video games within the sequence in opposition to the Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers (83-55) have a six-game lead over the D-backs (77-61) within the NL West with simply 24 video games remaining, however with their victory Monday, additionally they captured the season sequence and tiebreaker benefit, primarily giving them a seven-game benefit.

The San Diego Padres (79-61) are nonetheless 5 video games out within the NL West, however this race is near being formally over, with Ohtani about to expertise the playoffs for the primary time in his MLB profession.

“Personally, it’s my first time having the ability to expertise this spot within the standings,” Ohtani mentioned, “and having the ability to play in opposition to different division rivals who’re making an attempt to take the spot as properly. So, personally, sure, it’s very thrilling.’’

The Dodgers, winners of 17 of the final 23 video games, capturing 5 consecutive sequence, are rolling today with no indicators of stopping, placing on an offensive clinic within the four-game sequence in opposition to the Diamondbacks. They hit .338 and scored 32 runs, together with eight house runs, together with seven by Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts.

The Dodgers and D-backs threw haymakers and bludgeoned each other all weekend, scoring a mixed 67 runs in entrance of 186,000 spectators, however when the sequence ended, it was the Dodgers who have been standing.

“Clearly, you possibly can see the urgency with each golf equipment, how they play,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned, “and for us to win three video games, and up six video games in opposition to these guys, we took care of enterprise. …

“You have a look at the previous few weeks, we’ve had numerous proficient groups which might be enjoying for potential postseason spots, numerous actually good pitching, groups managing in opposition to us prefer it’s the postseason, and we responded.

“The large gamers, the large stars, carried out.’’

Freeman had a monster sequence, hitting .600 with 4 homers and 10 RBI.

Left fielder Teoscar Hernandez had a five-hit sport Monday.

Proper fielder Mookie Betts homered with three RBI.

Starter Jack Flaherty, who may very well be the Dodgers’ ace within the postseason, gave up one run and struck out seven.

However Roberts nonetheless is antsy about his rotation. He has no thought whether or not three-time Cy Younger winner Clayton Kershaw will pitch once more this season or when Tyler Glasnow or Yoshinobu Yamamoto will return. He mentioned earlier than the sport that he felt extra assured about final yr’s rotation getting into the playoffs than the present state of this one.

Nonetheless, prepared or not, right here come the Dodgers.

“I’m in playoff mode, and I do know our guys are too,” Roberts mentioned. “It’s going to be an extended playoff season for us.’’

Why, after being swept out of the Division Sequence by the Diamondbacks a yr in the past, and knocked out by the Padres two years in the past, perhaps Ohtani will make the distinction.

He spent his life ready for an opportunity to be on baseball’s greatest stage. And in 4 weeks, it lastly will arrive, with a pitstop at his outdated stomping grounds.

“It’s going to be considerably emotional for him,’’ Roberts mentioned. “However feelings are relative to the individual, and I believe he’s going to be simply effective going again there and nonetheless serving to us win a ballgame.

“I imply, there’s nothing that he hasn’t needed to cope with that he hasn’t handed with flying colours.”

The highlight will definitely be on Ohtani. His 44 house runs and 46 stolen bases in the identical season has by no means been completed, stealing 25 bases with out being caught.

“I really like his aggressive mindset,’’ Roberts mentioned. “These stolen bases are creating situational alternatives. … He’s only a staff participant. He needs to win.’’

And, sure, he’d love have that magical 50-50 season on his resume getting into the postseason, too.

“He’s on a mission,’’ Roberts mentioned, “and 50-50 appears very doubtless.’’

Yep, so does one other NL West title for the Dodgers.

Who is aware of, maybe there can be one other first-round matchup in opposition to the Diamondbacks, who the Dodgers privately consider could be probably the most harmful staff standing of their manner of a World Sequence berth.

So, do the Dodgers now have not less than a psychological edge in the event that they play the D-backs once more within the playoffs?

“I’d like to say sure,’’ Roberts mentioned, “nevertheless it didn’t work out final yr.’’

October lurks, solely this time, it should embrace Ohtani.

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By these first few days of September, Shohei Ohtani has been poised to make historical past actually each time he steps as much as the plate or will get on base. With their four-game sequence towards the Diamondbacks within the books, Ohtani has 44 dwelling runs and 46 stolen bases on the season, making him the only member of the 43-43 and 44-44 Golf equipment, properly on his approach to 45-45 and even 50-50 with over 20 video games left within the season.

Ohtani appeared to get again right into a groove towards the Diamondbacks, with a five-hit, two-homer, four-stolen base sequence after batting .235 in August, certainly one of his worst months within the majors. Per FanGraphs, he is on tempo for 50 homers and 51 stolen bases earlier than the 12 months is out.

Now only one homer away from 45, he and the Dodgers might be headed to Ohtani’s outdated stomping grounds in Anaheim for the primary time within the common season (he additionally visited for a spring coaching Freeway Collection in March) since he left in free company. The Angels are the large losers of the AL West this 12 months, with a worse document than even the soon-to-be homeless Athletics. There could not be a greater group for Ohtani to get to 45-45 towards.

Naturally, Jack Harris of the LA Occasions requested Ohtani about his free company forward of his return to Anaheim. He responded diplomatically, as all the time, however stated, “Different groups, together with the Dodgers, evaluated me extremely. […] I wasn’t made a suggestion [by the Angels], so I am unable to say [if I’d still be an Angel].”

Dodgers future MVP Shohei Ohtani continues to casually drop particulars about his free company that may devastate Angels followers additional

Ohtani saying that different groups evaluated him extremely positive does make it sound just like the Angels did not. However all of us kind of knew that, did not we? He was an Angel for six seasons, six seasons when Anaheim didn’t make the postseason and even elevate their heads above third place within the AL West. In addition they fully didn’t construct round Ohtani and Mike Trout throughout that window.

We already knew that Arte Moreno noticed the supply Ohtani obtained from the Dodgers and had the chance to match, however declined to take action. The Angels reportedly additionally haven’t any plan to honor Ohtani in his return to Angel Stadium, so that ought to just about communicate for itself (subscription required).

The sweetest potential factor that Ohtani might do is getting that forty fifth dwelling run in entrance of a wave of Angels followers, a lot of whom now hate him for going up the street to their massive brother group. Perhaps he’ll be capable of tack on a couple of extra for good measure. The Dodgers are completely positioned to bully Anaheim after a decisive sequence win towards an objectively significantly better group, and Ohtani might be main the cost to rub it in Angels’ followers faces all of the extra.

What occurred

The U.S. has seized a luxurious jet utilized by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the Justice Division introduced yesterday, saying the Dassault Falcon 900EX was bought by a shell firm in violation of U.S. sanctions and smuggled out of the U.S.

Who stated what

The aircraft, “described by officers as Venezuela’s equal to Air Pressure One,” was flown to Florida from the Dominican Republic, the place it had been present process repairs, CNN stated. Legal professional Common Merrick Garland stated the plane was “illegally bought for $13 million” to be used by “Maduro and his cronies.” Venezuela’s authorities stated the seizure of Maduro’s jet “can’t be described as something apart from piracy.”

What subsequent?

Maduro’s non-public jet was considered one of dozens the U.S. has seized from high Venezuelan leaders both sanctioned or indicted for alleged drug trafficking or corruption. Investigating the “corrupt practices of the Venezuelan authorities” is a “continued physique of labor,” Anthony Salisbury, a particular agent at Homeland Safety Investigations, stated to The Related Press. “Clearly, we’re not completed but.” The U.S. can be pursuing forfeiture with the confiscated Falcon, CNN stated, so “the Venezuelan authorities has an opportunity to petition for it” after the U.S. searches it for proof.

NEW YORK — U.S. shares are slumping Tuesday following a disappointingly weak begin to every week stuffed with updates on the financial system.

The S&P 500 was 1.4% decrease in noon buying and selling and on observe for its worst day in almost a month, coming off a successful week that had carried it to the cusp of its all-time excessive. The Dow Jones Industrial Common was down 436 factors, or 1.1%, from its personal file set on Friday earlier than Monday’s Labor Day vacation. The Nasdaq composite was 2.3% decrease, as of 11:45 a.m. Japanese time.

Manufacturing Contraction Weighs on Market

Treasury yields had been additionally sinking within the bond market after a report confirmed U.S. manufacturing shrank once more in August, because it continues to wilt underneath the burden of excessive rates of interest. Manufacturing has been contracting for many of the previous two years, and its efficiency for August was worse than economists anticipated.

“Demand stays subdued, as corporations present an unwillingness to spend money on capital and stock as a result of present federal financial coverage and election uncertainty,” stated Timothy Fiore, chair of the Institute for Provide Administration’s manufacturing enterprise survey committee.

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Financial Considerations and Fed Expectations

Worries a couple of slowing U.S. financial system helped ship shares on a scary summertime swoon early final month, however monetary markets later rebounded on hopes that the Federal Reserve may pull off an ideal touchdown for the financial system. After jacking its foremost rate of interest to a two-decade excessive to beat excessive inflation, the Fed appears to be like set to ease rates of interest later this month in hopes of easing situations for the financial system and avoiding a recession.

Different experiences later this week that would present how a lot assist the financial system wants, together with updates on the variety of job openings U.S. employers had been promoting on the finish of July and the way sturdy U.S. companies companies grew final month. The week’s spotlight will doubtless arrive on Friday, when a report will present what number of jobs U.S. employers created throughout August.

The roles report has as soon as once more grow to be the primary occasion for the inventory market every month, taking up from updates on inflation, in accordance with analysts at Financial institution of America. Many merchants are anticipating the Fed will ship a full proportion level of cuts to rates of interest this 12 months, which is a “recession-sized” quantity, Gonzalo Asis and different economists and strategists wrote in a BofA World Analysis report.

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Notable Inventory Actions

On Wall Avenue, U.S. Metal fell 5.3% in its first buying and selling after Vice President Kamala Harris stated Monday she opposed the corporate’s deliberate sale to Japan’s Nippon Metal. The Democratic presidential nominee’s feedback, which echo President Joe Biden’s place, got here after Nippon Metal Corp. stated final week it will spend an extra $1.3 billion to improve services in Pennsylvania and Indiana, on prime of a earlier $1.4 billion dedication.

Nippon Metal additionally reiterated that it expects the transaction to shut by the top of this 12 months, regardless of ongoing political and labor opposition.

Nvidia was the heaviest weight by far on the S&P 500 after falling 7.2%. Its inventory has been struggling even after the chip firm topped excessive expectations for its newest revenue report. The subdued efficiency may bolster criticism that Nvidia’s and different Massive Tech shares merely soared too excessive amid Wall Avenue’s rush into artificial-intelligence know-how.

Shares of oil and gasoline corporations additionally helped drag the market decrease after the value of crude oil fell roughly 4% on worries about how a lot gasoline the worldwide financial system will burn. A barrel of benchmark U.S. oil is sort of again to $70 and down for the 12 months thus far after climbing above $85 in April.

Exxon Mobil misplaced 2.3%, and ConocoPhillips dropped 3%.

Nonetheless, it wasn’t an entire washout on Wall Avenue. Greater than 1 in 3 shares throughout the S&P 500 was climbing, led by people who have a tendency to learn probably the most from decrease rates of interest. That features dividend-paying shares, in addition to corporations whose earnings are much less carefully tied to the ebbs and flows of the financial system, equivalent to utilities and makers of shopper staples.

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Within the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to three.85% from 3.91% late Friday. That’s down from 4.70% in late April, a big transfer for the bond market.

In inventory markets overseas, indexes had been decrease throughout a lot of Europe and Asia.

Worries had been additionally rising in regards to the resilience of China’s financial system, as just lately disclosed information confirmed a blended image. Weak earnings experiences from Chinese language corporations, together with property developer and investor New World Growth Co., added to the pessimism.