The Los Angeles Dodgers lost their final game of the series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, falling 5-3. Despite the defeat, Shohei Ohtani’s impressive performance continued as he hit his 39th home run of the season, keeping him near the top of the National League home run leaderboard.
The Dodgers, now holding a 66-49 record, maintain their lead in the National League West division, while the Cardinals, who evened out their season at 58-58, remain 5.5 games behind the last wild card spot. Ohtani’s contribution at the plate was significant, going 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk, and two RBIs. His 39th homer places him just one shy of Kyle Schwarber’s team-leading 40 home runs.
Ohtani’s Historic Home Run Pace at Leadoff Spot
Shohei Ohtani’s latest home run extends his baseball history-making pace as a leadoff hitter. According to MLB analyst Sarah Langs, Ohtani has the most home runs from the leadoff position in a team’s first 115 games, surpassing notable players like Mookie Betts, Alfonso Soriano, Max Kepler, and Bobby Bonds in comparable stretches.
“Most home runs out of leadoff spot in team’s first 115 games: 2025 Shohei Ohtani: 35 2023 Mookie Betts: 31 2006 Alfonso Soriano: 30 2019 Max Kepler: 29 1973 Bobby Bonds: 29” — Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports)
Dual Contributions: Batting and Pitching Efforts
Besides his hitting prowess, Ohtani also pitched four innings during the game, showcasing his value as a two-way player. He allowed only one run on two hits, walked no batters, and struck out eight, steadily increasing his pitch count as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. This gradual build-up aims to prepare him for critical postseason contributions.
Ohtani’s current earned run average stands at an impressive 2.37, reflecting his effectiveness on the mound. Manager Dave Roberts is hopeful that Ohtani can be fully available for the playoffs, providing the Dodgers with an essential pitching option alongside their regular rotation.
Upcoming Matchup Features Hall of Famers
The Dodgers will return to play on Friday night, hosting the Toronto Blue Jays in a high-stakes clash between division leaders. The pitching matchup highlights two future Hall of Famers as Max Scherzer of the Blue Jays goes against Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers, promising an intense battle on the mound.
As the Dodgers continue to chase postseason success, Ohtani’s remarkable streak of home runs and strong pitching performances underline his immense value for the team. His ongoing recovery and consistent production make him a player to watch as the playoff race intensifies.