Royals-Angels postponed due to frigid weather
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Kansas City Royals missed out on facing Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani in his third major league start when their game Sunday afternoon was postponed because of cold temperatures.
It was 31 degrees with an 18-mph wind, making it feel like 20 degrees Sunday.
"Just the simple fact that I was going to be pitching in cold weather, that was a little worrisome for me," Ohtani said through an interpreter. "Also, I was worried my fingertips might lose the feel for the ball. That was one of the things I was worried (about)."
The game will be made up June 25 in Kansas City.
"The Royals, Major League Baseball, talked to both parties just to kind of get an understanding of everything that was happening and where we were, and I think they made the right decision, just functionality, in every respect." Angels manager Mike Scioscia said.
"I saw snow flurries out there again. Wind chill of 18 degrees. We've all played in cold weather. But at some point it crosses a line, and I think today definitely crossed a line."
Royals manager Ned Yost had spent the morning studying Ohtani on video.
"I sat and watched Ohtani all day, probably every pitch he's thrown all year long," Yost said. "I've watched all four hits he's given up. Fastball down in the zone, 96 to 100 miles per hour, a tremendous split. He's got a good slider. Fastball and split, it's a deadly combination. You just got to go up and battle. I don't know if you can have a plan against stuff like that.
"I think if you watch this kid, he's as talented as anybody you've seen in a long time. I think he's just starting to get his feet on the ground now. What we've seen from this point is kind of the tip of the iceberg.
"When he gets really comfortable and understands the hype and everything that goes along with it, I think you'll only see him get better and better."
Royals rookie left-hander Eric Skoglund, who was scheduled to start Sunday, was pushed back a day and will start Monday in Toronto to open a seven-game trip.
