Shohei Ohtani is getting a much-needed breather, but don't expect him to stay quiet for long. The Dodgers superstar sat out Thursday's game as a pinch-hit option—his services weren't needed after Los Angeles secured back-to-back wins without him in the lineup. The plan was simple: give the struggling two-way phenom some rare time off to rediscover his groove at the plate. And what better way to return than against his former team?

Ohtani is expected back for the weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels, a matchup that has become must-watch theater since he left Anaheim. If history is any guide, Angels fans might want to look away. In just 10 games against his old club, Ohtani has slugged five home runs and posted a staggering 1.263 OPS—his best mark against any opponent. To put that in perspective, he's hit more homers against the Angels than he has at Oracle Park or Petco Park combined. It's as if he's sending a message every time he steps into the box.

While Ohtani rested, Teoscar Hernández and Will Smith stepped up, going a combined 3-for-7 with a home run. It's almost enough to say the Dodgers' MVP has big shoes to fill—but we won't go that far. The key takeaway? If Ohtani's track record against the Angels is any indication, he's about to come back with a vengeance. After avoiding a series loss to the Giants by winning the final two games, the Dodgers are looking to build momentum. And with Ohtani leading the charge, this rivalry weekend could be explosive.