Phoenix –– Shohei Ohtani has been impressive, and maybe that’s understated.
After undergoing his second Tommy John surgery, you might think he’d be more cautious. But this isn’t his first full two-way season in quite a while, and with everyone closely monitoring his performance, there’s this anticipation about how long he can keep up such excellence.
Yet there he was at Chase Field on Wednesday night, looking like one of baseball’s finest.
The Dodgers took a 7-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, marking yet another stellar outing in what has been a remarkable season for Ohtani.
He pitched six scoreless innings, dropping his ERA to an impressive 0.74 in just ten starts. That’s among the best season-ending ERAs since earned runs began being tracked back in 1913.
And if you think that’s all, he also went 3-for-4 at the plate, with two walks, nudging his batting average above .300 for the first time since the season opened.
You can’t really argue anymore about Ohtani’s status as the top star in baseball.
The question now is whether he’s also the best pitcher out there right now.
It’s true that he hasn’t clocked as many innings compared to some other elite pitchers this season, and he may finish below the minimum needed to qualify as a full-time pitcher. However, there’s no one quite like him when it comes to preventing runs right now.
This year, he hasn’t allowed his ERA to rise above 1.00.
Before the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remarked, “I think he demonstrated tremendous strength by effectively using his pitches.” He added that while last year was about getting back into a rhythm post-surgery, Ohtani currently has numerous tools at his disposal.
On Wednesday, he showcased that talent, fanning the D-backs’ lineup with just two hits, one walk, and striking out six batters.
Ohtani started strong, retiring the first 11 batters, extending a no-hitter streak that began last week against the Rockies. The D-backs’ catcher, Gabriel Moreno, managed to double down the first base line, which was a momentary challenge for Ohtani.
The Diamondbacks didn’t really threaten again until the sixth inning with a walk and a single. But Ohtani swiftly ended that potential rally, forcing Corbin Carroll into a double play.
As he left the mound, he punctuated a strong performance with a simple fist pump.
Throughout the night, Ohtani helped his team get on base five times, quickly building a five-run lead thanks to Kyle Tucker’s two-run hit and singles from Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy.
It’s hard to believe it could be this seamless, but Ohtani makes it look easy.
What it Means
The Dodgers (40-22) have now won 16 out of their last 20 games, positioning themselves to wrap up their sixth consecutive series with a win on Thursday’s finale.
Notably, this game matched Ohtani’s best record so far this season.
While he has established himself as a formidable pitcher, the four-time MVP seems to be rediscovering his prowess at the plate, evidenced by a .435 batting average, 16 RBIs, and 12 extra-base hits over the last 20 games.
For the first time since the season started, his batting average has climbed past .300, with an overall OPS of .941, placing him third in the National League.
Who Is Hot
Obviously, it’s Ohtani.
The intriguing question remains: Is it his bat or his arm stealing the spotlight?
On the mound, Ohtani hasn’t allowed more than two runs in any start this year, and Wednesday marked the fifth time he pitched shutout innings.
What’s more, his command seemed stronger this time around as he threw an efficient 89 pitches, correcting previous control issues that had resulted in a combined eight walks over his last three outings. He primarily relied on fastballs and sweeping pitches, ending with only nine strikeouts.
But honestly, it’s irrelevant. His pitch speeds varied from 160.4 mph to 100 mph, making it tough for the D-backs (32-29) to find their rhythm.
He might have competition in the Cy Young race, but he’s already on track for another MVP award.
Who Is Not?
Kyle Tucker had dominated this category recently, but that changed after his outstanding performance on Wednesday.
His home run in the second inning boasted perhaps the best swing of the year—launching a 424-foot shot over a pool in right-center with an exit velocity of 167.6 mph. He also had a single and double later in the game, marking his fourth three-hit game of the season.
To the Next
The Dodgers will conclude their four-game series on Thursday with Justin Robulski (7-2, 2.87 ERA) set to pitch against Rhyne Nelson (2-4, 4.82 ERA).
