Shohei Ohtani’s unreal hitting continues as Dodgers look to secure NL West against Padres – Source: Imagn
There’s no stopping Shohei Ohtani this season. The LA Dodgers slugger is having one of the best offensive seasons the MLB has seen and he continues to swing his way for the best possible outcome.
On Tuesday, as the Dodgers start the series against the San Diego Padres, Ohtani had gotten a hit in 13 of his last 18 at-bats. That stat line improved to 14-for-19 after Ohtani smashed the ball to right field for a ground-rule double against Padres ace Michael King to lead off the game.
The NL West is the only remaining division in the NL yet to be clinched. The Dodgers lead the division over the second-placed Padres and this three-game series could well decide who ends up securing the division and subsequent home advantage in the postseason.
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The Japanese two-way star would later come around to score on a throwing error that saw Mookie Betts reach second base to give the Dodgers an early 1-0 lead.
Shohei Ohtani has already registered 53 home runs and 55 stolen bases on the season. Such a season has never been seen in MLB, not even remotely close, and whatever stat line he ends up with will serve as the new benchmark for seasons to com
Shohei Ohtani gets Michael Jordan, Tom Brady comparison from NFL legend
Colorado Buffaloes coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders seems to be highly impressed with what Shohei Ohtani has done this season. He compared Ohtani’s season with those of NBA legend Michael Jordan and NFL legend Tom Brady.
“He’s incredible, man,” Sanders told reporters Tuesday. “You can compare him to the Jordans and Tom Bradys of the world. That’s who he is.”
Shohei Ohtani might be on his way to earning his third MVP (first in the NL) following his 10-year, $700 million signing with the Dodgers in the offseason. Coming into Tuesday’s game, Ohtani has slashed .301/.383/.640 with 53 home runs, 123 RBI, and 55 stolen bases.
Last week, he became the first player in major league season to have registered a 50-50 season.
Shohei Ohtani has all the ingredients for greatness but lacks postseason success, especially when compared to other legends. Being compared with a six-time NBA champion and seven-time Super Bowl winner is no mean feat, but the 2024 season will mark his maiden appearance in the postseason.
Though Ohtani has been in the MLB since 2018, his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, couldn’t reach the postseason while he was there. However, it had nothing to do with Ohtani since baseball is a lot more of a team sport as compared to basketball and football, where a lot depends on certain individuals’ performance.
It remains to be seen if he can help the Dodgers win their second World Series this decade.