Shohei Ohtani (30-LA Dodgers), the first Asian player to reach the 30-homer, 30-steal mark in the majors, is not slowing down. He’s on pace to reach 40-40, and possibly even 45-45, a first in major league history.
Ohtani started in the No. 1 spot in the lineup against the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California (USA), and went 2-for-3 with his 34th home run of the season, his 32nd stolen base, two RBI and one run scored to lead the Dodgers to a 5-3 victory.
Ohtani tied the game at 2-2 with a sacrifice fly to right field with runners on second and third in the bottom of the third inning, then doubled to right and stole third base in the bottom of the sixth. In his final at-bat in the bottom of the eighth, he hit a solo home run to left-center field. The shot made it a 5-3 game.
With the win,
Ohtani is now 3-for-9 (133-for-431) with 34 home runs, 81 RBI, 86 runs scored, 63 walks, 114 strikeouts, 32 stolen bases, a .397 on-base percentage, .631 slugging percentage, and 1.028 OPS in 110 games this season. He ranks first in the National League (NL) in six major offensive categories: batting average, home runs, runs scored, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and OPS, while also ranking second in hits, RBI, walks, and stolen bases.
After leading the American League (AL) in home runs last year (44), Ohtani’s home run pace was somewhat expected. But no one expected him to steal so many bases. After stealing in four straight games from July 27-31, 토토사이트 추천 he had a career-high three-steal game against the Oakland Athletics on April 4. He’s been on a tear with eight stolen bases in his last nine games.
He surpassed the 30-steal mark for the first time this year, as his previous single-season high was 26 with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021. He had a 72.2 percent success rate with 10 failed steals, but this year he’s only been caught four times, giving him an 88.9 percent success rate. Unlike three years ago, base sizes have increased and pitch clocks have made it more favorable for runners to steal, but even with that in mind, Ohtani’s stolen bases have improved in quantity and quality.
According to MLB.com on May 5,
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, “Ohtani hasn’t pitched this year (rehabbing from elbow surgery), so his legs have been in good shape to use. “He’s really excited to be able to run freely,” Roberts said, adding, “He has a very good relationship with first base coach Clayton McCullough, and he trusts his analysis of opposing pitchers’ tendencies.
Ohtani, who stole 20 bases last year, is naturally quick on his feet. However, he had to conserve as much power as possible when running the bases because of the physical demands of his two-hitting job. This year, however, he hasn’t pitched as he rehabilitates from elbow surgery and has been playing the designated hitter position full time, which doesn’t require much defense. Working with Coach McCullough and analyzing opposing pitchers’ habits, he timed his stolen bases and improved his success rate.
Becoming the sixth player in major league history to hit 40-40 doesn’t seem out of the question. Only five players have done it: Jose Canseco of the Oakland Athletics in 1988 (42 homers-40 stolen bases), Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants in 1996 (42 homers-04 stolen bases), Alex Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners in 1998 (42 homers-46 stolen bases), Alfonso Soriano of the Washington Nationals in 2006 (46 homers-41 stolen bases), and Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves last year (41 homers-73 stolen bases).
At his current pace,
He could mathematically surpass 40-40 and reach 48 home runs and 45 doubles. A 45-45 record, which no one has ever achieved, is within reach. When asked about it in an interview with Sportsnet LA after Game 6, Ohtani said, “If the home runs come in good situations, of course. When you think you have a good chance of getting a stolen base, you can contribute more to the win. I just want to focus on helping the team win,” he replied.
Ohtani will be a two-hitter again next year, so he won’t be able to try to steal as many bases as he did this year. Maybe the first 40-40 challenge will be the last. “I think 40-40 has been on his radar since spring training,” Roberts said, adding that he believes it was a goal he had before the season.