The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Miami Marlins, 11-9, on Tuesday night, but despite the loss, Dodgers designated hitter and National League MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani made an impression and moved one step closer to making baseball history.
Ohtani hit his 48th home run in the third inning, moving him closer to becoming the first team in major league history to achieve a 50-50 season. Watch the 402-foot homer here, which he blasted over Darren McCaughan’s sweeper.
As you can see, the ball hit the ground running into the second deck at Miami’s LawnDepot Park, and he did so with relative ease. In addition to his 48 home runs, Ohtani has also stolen 48 bases this season (he’s been caught just four times). If he can pick up two more in each category with the Dodgers’ 11 games remaining in the regular season, he’ll, as mentioned above, become the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50+ bases in the same season. By comparison, only two other players have hit 50 home runs and stolen 50+ bases in a single season in their careers: Barry Bonds and Brady Anderson.
While he’s been sidelined from pitching while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Ohtani has been hitting like hotcakes, currently batting .287/.372/.611 with 87 extra base hits and a .359 on-base percentage. Add in his excellent baserunning and Ohtani could very well be in line to win an unprecedented third MVP award in his career.
Meanwhile, Ohtani’s Dodgers fell to 89-62 after the loss to Miami, but they still lead the National League West and are all but certain to reach the postseason for the 12th straight year.