Shohei Ohtani makes history, but Dodgers falter against Phillies
The Los Angeles Dodgers found themselves at a pivotal crossroads this week as they faced off against the Philadelphia Phillies, with the stakes high for a coveted postseason position. The Phillies had been dominant, having already clinched the series after their victory on Tuesday, which tightened their grip on a first-round playoff bye. With each win, their magic number dwindled, now standing at just four.
Phillies inch closer to postseason security
“The Phillies secure the season series over the Dodgers and drop their magic number to secure a first-round postseason bye to 4,” MLB reported, underscoring the growing urgency for the Dodgers. Facing such pressure, the team turned to their superstar Shohei Ohtani, hoping his extraordinary talents could help turn the tide in their favor.
Ohtani’s remarkable performance, but team falls short
In a truly remarkable outing, Ohtani delivered a masterclass on the mound, pitching five hitless innings. Yet, despite his brilliance, the Dodgers could not capitalize and ultimately lost the game, marking a rare instance where a pitcher achieved such a feat yet faced defeat. “Shohei Ohtani is the only MLB player in the modern era to throw 5.0+ innings and finish with no hits allowed and also homer at the plate and yet have his team lose the game,” noted Opta Stats.
The loss was undoubtedly disheartening, but it did little to diminish Ohtani’s standing as one of the league’s elite. In fact, the game marked another historic milestone for the two-way phenom, who continues to rewrite the record books.
Ohtani’s record-breaking season continues
Earlier this week, Ohtani reached a significant achievement that further cements his legacy. “Shohei Ohtani has 102 home runs and 77 stolen bases since the beginning of last season. The next-most stolen bases by any player in a two-year span that they hit at least 100 home runs is 44 by Ken Griffey Jr. in 1998-1999,” Opta Stats highlighted, showcasing Ohtani’s unmatched prowess on both sides of the game.
As the playoffs loom, the Dodgers are navigating an unconventional path. Yet with Ohtani leading the charge, the team retains an air of unpredictability that could serve them well in the postseason. His ability to set MLB history not just once, but twice in a single week, is a testament to his extraordinary capabilities and influence on the game.
With Ohtani in their ranks, the Dodgers may still harness the magic needed to turn their fortunes around.
