MLB’s midseason break was kind to Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter and starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani.
On Wednesday, the three-time MVP tied a Dodgers franchise record with a home run in his fifth consecutive game, taking Minnesota Twins right-handed starting pitcher Chris Paddack 441 feet to centerfield on an 0-2 79 mph curveball in the bottom of the first inning.
Ohtani entered the All-Star break with 32 home runs but had just two in his 12 previous games before beginning his current streak.
He’s appeared in 101 of L.A.’s 103 games, putting him on pace for 159 games this season. If Ohtani continues at his home run trajectory, he’ll set a personal record for single-season home runs, breaking the record he established last season, his first with the Dodgers.
Per ESPN Bet, Ohtani (-1800) is an overwhelming favorite to be named NL MVP for the second consecutive season. With every home run hit, his odds of receiving a fourth overall MVP award likely increase.
Also helping Ohtani’s case is his return to the mound after not pitching a season ago while rehabbing from 2023 surgery. The Dodgers have slowly eased him back, with Ohtani throwing 12 innings in six starts, allowing nine hits and two earned runs with 13 strikeouts.
Per Baseball Savant, he ranks in the top six percent in average fastball velocity (97.8 mph), a promising sign as he continues his progression.
While the Dodgers keep him on a pitch count, Ohtani didn’t need much warming up at the plate following the in-season break to find his swing. Some might argue he’s already in postseason form.