The Los Angeles Dodgers have regained momentum with impressive wins against the Toronto Blue Jays, sparked by Blake Snell’s return to the mound. In a highlight pitching duel featuring Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer, the Dodgers emerged victorious. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani is chasing a significant personal milestone this season, as manager Dave Roberts maintains strong confidence in the $700 million star.
Ohtani Closing in on His 40th Home Run, Approaching Career Peak
In the previous season, Ohtani set a new career high by hitting 54 home runs, surpassing his previous mark of 46 set in 2021. With 45 regular-season games still left, the Japanese sensation needs to continue his offensive pace to reach a new benchmark by adding 15 more homers. Roberts acknowledged Ohtani’s consistency this year, emphasizing that hitting 40 home runs in one season remains an impressive feat most players only dream of, yet it has become a familiar achievement for Ohtani.
Guys like Shohei always look for something to motivate them. He likes round numbers. I know 50 is on his radar. We’ll see how it goes.
— Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers Manager
Ohtani’s current campaign boasts a 1.000 OPS alongside 40 home runs, while on the pitching side, he has maintained a 2.37 ERA with 25 strikeouts spanning 19 innings.
Shohei Ohtani has 40 home runs and an OPS of 1.000 this season. He also has a 2.37 ERA with 25 strikeouts across 19 innings. The Dodgers star should be a lock to win a third straight MVP.pic.twitter.com/0ZJAqEpJWs
— Noah Camras, Baseball Analyst
Comparing Ohtani’s Power to League Leaders and Statistical Dominance
This season marks only the second year Ohtani is approaching the 50-home run threshold, having first reached it in 2024. Currently, he ranks just behind Cal Raleigh and Kyle Schwarber, with Schwarber pursuing a substantial contract extension in Philadelphia and Raleigh holding the title of the reigning Home Run Derby champion. Ohtani remains a formidable power hitter across <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB, sitting in the top one percent for several key metrics including exit velocity, expected slugging, and hard-hit percentage.
His offensive metrics include a 94.4 mph average exit velocity, a maximum exit velocity of 117.9 mph, and a .642 expected slugging percentage. Additionally, his walk rate of 13.9% places him in the top four percent of all batters, underscoring his plate discipline.
While Ohtani ranks third in total home runs behind stars like Aaron Judge, he is 13th in RBIs with 76, demonstrating consistent run production. His OPS of .999 trails only Judge’s 1.144, though Judge has played fewer games and accumulated fewer at-bats.
Ohtani’s Recent Surge and What Lies Ahead
The 31-year-old slugger hit nine home runs in July, his best monthly total since he launched 15 homers in May. With 45 games remaining, Ohtani’s pace averages one home run every 2.875 games, suggesting that reaching or surpassing the 55-home-run mark remains within reach if he maintains his current performance.
Manager Dave Roberts has also implemented a strict innings limit on Ohtani’s pitching appearances, capping him at five innings per outing to preserve his long-term effectiveness on the mound. This strategy aims to balance Ohtani’s dual role as both an elite hitter and pitcher for the Dodgers.
With the Dodgers rallying and Roberts’ steady leadership, Ohtani’s pursuit of the Shohei Ohtani home run milestone not only highlights his personal excellence but also energizes the team’s playoff ambitions as the season advances.