Amid all the challenges the Dave Roberts-led team may face, Shohei Ohtani is the best news the Los Angeles Dodgers could hope for, as, though unusual in baseball, he’s a player who can carry the franchise forward. This is especially true considering his immediate impact both offensively and as a pitcher.
The Dodgers remain in top form as they aim to defend their World Series crown, and it’s clear that the Japanese star’s presence is a direct factor. While he excels as a pitcher, his offensive performance is, frankly, otherworldly.
Ohtani, an unprecedented phenomenon
Shohei Ohtani has scored 110 runs (111 as of August 10), 19 more than any other player in Major League Baseball, and according to Opta, no National League player has surpassed 80 runs.
Under this scenario, it’s the first time since 1932 that a National League player has at least 30 more runs than anyone else in the league, when Chuck Klein led by 37 runs.
While continuing to deliver as a pitcher, Ohtani remains the best hitter in all of baseball, which is more than good news for Dave Roberts. The truth is, while he drives in many runs for his teammates, he’s also the one scoring them.
As of Saturday, Kyle Schwarber, Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, and Elly De La Cruz each had 80 runs, far behind the pace set by Ohtani in Los Angeles. Expanding the comparison to all of MLB, only Aaron Judge of the Yankees (92 runs) has surpassed 80.
In a world where a single statistic can mean winning games, Dave Roberts has every reason to be thrilled, as Ohtani continues to produce at an elite level with no sign of slowing down.
Read the full article here
