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No one can ever claim that Los Angeles Angels closer Kenley Jansen does not think outside the box. By nature, relief pitchers tend to be a different breed from starters. It takes a special mentality to enter a game, usually with the tying run either on base or at the plate.
These athletes work without a metaphorical net and with the smallest margin of error. If they miss on just one pitch, the entire complexion of the game changes, usually with the opponent walking away with at least a tie game. When facing one of the most dangerous hitters in the game, Jansen used an innovative approach.
Kenley Jansen Uses Unique Strategy When Facing Shohei Ohtani
Since 1885, baseball has remained a cerebral sport. Sure, throwing, hitting, and running reign as the three most important parts of the game. However, the nuance of seeing two and three plays ahead will more often than not win the game. After 16 seasons and over 450 saves, Jansen lives for the biggest moment.
Kenley Jansen, Intentional Balk Mechanics pic.twitter.com/Dja7e89FtB
— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) May 18, 2025
With Ohtani lurking around the plate, you can almost hear the gluteal puckering of opposing managers. However, the hard-throwing righty pulled a proverbial rabbit out of the hat.
On Saturday, the Angels placed the ball in Jansen’s hand, looking to close the door on the Los Angeles Dodgers. For 12 seasons, the closer saved 350 games in a Dodgers uniform and won the 2020 World Series during his stay.
Now, with Ohtani on second and Mookie Betts at the plate, the four-time All-Star didn’t tip his hand and purposely balked so the reigning National League MVP would move to third base.
As explained by writers like Brent Maguire and Rhett Bolinger of MLB.com after the game, Jansen did this so Ohtani couldn’t relay pitches to the batter. The Angels were winning by multiple runs with two outs, so it didn’t matter much if Ohtani advanced 90 feet. Getting the batter out mattered the most, and Jansen didn’t want Ohtani standing behind him, seeing pitches, then relaying them to Betts in the box.
RHP Kenley Jansen’s post-game interview with @EricaLWeston
Jansen on if he intentionally balked, earning a 4-out Save, bouncing back after bad outings, earning a Save at Dodgers Stadium pic.twitter.com/t7doEElK0x
— Angels News (@AngelsNews27) May 18, 2025
It’s a move that Jansen (and others) have deployed in the past. While it has worked on multiple occasions, including last night, it is still a bit jarring to see for some.
Make no mistake, the Angels are not a good team by any metric. Mired in last place, skipper Ron Washington will take any victory that he can. With superstar Mike Trout on the shelf with a knee injury, the Halos look like a desperate team, just trying to cobble together a sound lineup and workable pitching staff.
Most controversial take for a current player who should be in the Hall of Fame? 🤔@ajpierzynski12 and @ErikKratz31 explain their picks: Kenley Jansen, Craig Kimbrel and Chris Sale. pic.twitter.com/oPehapg2Sq
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 15, 2024
Yet, that looks more difficult by the day. With seven players tallying 35 or more strikeouts in less than 45 games, plate discipline does not seem to be a team strength. As a result, when the offense does hit, the bullpen must come up big.
Jansen understands that his career has entered the twilight phase. With only Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman ahead of him on the career saves list, you could eventually see him in Cooperstown. Right now, with an offensively challenged team surrounding him, the veteran dared to tempt fate for the betterment of his organization.
