For the Dodgers, there’s little doubt about who ought to take residence this yr’s Nationwide League MVP. Shohei Ohtani’s mixture of offensive firepower and influence on the mound has him positioned to win his fourth MVP award, a feat hardly ever seen in MLB historical past.
On Saturday night time at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani crushed his 53rd residence run of the season in a 7-5 comeback win over the Giants, tying Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber for the NL lead. The 2-way star’s homer, a 99.9 mph heater off Joel Peguero within the backside of the sixth inning, not solely gave Los Angeles respiratory room but in addition set one other mark within the document books. Ohtani now holds the Dodger Stadium single-season residence run document with 29, surpassing his personal 28 from final yr. He additionally prolonged his franchise document together with his 141st run scored, turning into simply the third participant prior to now 20 years to cross the 140-run threshold, becoming a member of Ronald Acuña Jr. (149 in 2023) and Alex Rodriguez (143 in 2007).
Throughout the league, Ohtani sits close to the highest of each offensive leaderboard. His 1.018 OPS ranks second in MLB behind Aaron Choose (1.129). He’s already tied his career-high mark of 54 homers, with seven video games nonetheless left to play, giving him an opportunity to set each a private and Dodgers franchise document within the closing week. His consistency on the plate has been matched by his self-discipline, as he’s maintained an elite on-base share by taking his walks when pitchers keep away from him.
And whereas his bat has taken heart stage, his contributions on the mound have been simply as beneficial. In 13 begins this season, Ohtani has posted a 3.29 ERA with 54 strikeouts, creating a novel “50-50” membership; greater than 50 residence runs and 50 strikeouts in the identical season, a mixture no different participant in MLB historical past has approached. He’s scheduled to make one closing regular-season begin Tuesday at Chase Subject, lining him as much as probably begin Sport 1 of a Wild Card Sequence ought to the Dodgers want him.
The Dodgers’ 7-5 win over San Francisco stored them 4 video games away from the Padres atop the NL West with per week remaining, and their magic quantity to clinch the division continues to shrink. Ohtani’s presence has been the difference-maker all season. Supervisor Dave Roberts put it merely, “With what he’s achieved with the bat and now what he’s achieved on the mound, it’s a landslide. It’s a no brainer.”
The house run race between Ohtani and Schwarber might go right down to the wire, however for MVP voters, the choice might already be settled. Ohtani’s capability to dominate on each side of the ball has set him aside as soon as once more, leaving his teammates satisfied that the award is his to lose.
