We’re halfway through the MLB season after the conclusion of All-Star weekend. Considered the most versatile and best player in baseball, Los Angeles Angels superstar pitcher Shohei Ohtani, aka “Shotime Shohei,” has led the Angels to a 6-4 record in their last 10 games and a 56-53 overall record at this point in the season. This is also having to deal with injuries recently to their two generational players in Ohtani (finger) and star center fielder Mike Trout (wrist).
Unlike the NBA, NFL, and NHL, Major League Baseball (MLB) places less emphasis on team records for individual awards, allowing players like Ohtani to win the MVP award, as he did in 2021, despite his team’s 77-85 record. So why is Ohtani the clear-cut AL MVP favorite at -20000 odds on Draft Kings?
In baseball, statistics often take precedence, even though Texas Rangers star shortstop Corey Seager (+7500) is another MVP candidate on a Rangers team that leads the AL West and ranks among the top teams in the league, boasting impressive stats such as a .347 batting average, 16 home runs, 61 RBIs, and an OPS (On-base slugging percentage) of 1.039 according to ESPN.
Well, for starters, Ohtani leads the MLB in home runs (39), with the next closest guy being first baseman Matt Olson (37) of the Atlanta Braves. Ohtani hits homers with massive power and force, unlike anyone in the major leagues, recording the longest home run of his career earlier this season with a 493-foot homer on June 30th in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 6-2 loss.
Ohtani is also on pace to break New York Yankees star Aaron Judge’s home run record of 62 from last season, with 39 alread,y with still over 50 games left to be played for the Angels.
He’s had countless MVP moments throughout what has been a magical season for the Japanese star, whether it was the one-hit shutout game in a 6-0 win against the Detroit Tigers, his longest home run ever against the Diamondbacks, or a solo home run that flew 414 feet against the Minnesota Twins for his 11th of the season.
That’s what MVPs are made of, a combination of great statistical numbers, moments, and winning.
Speaking of winning, the Angels stand five games over .500 at 56-51 and look on pace to make the postseason for the first time in Ohtani’s prestigious career.
The former AL MVP also ranks amongst the best in numerous other categories such as 81 RBIs (3rd), 156 strikeouts (5th), and a batting average of .307 (6th).
Ohtani never fails to amaze fans around the world and has brought an elevated level of excitement to the game over the last couple of years.
Now that the Angels are winning more games, a national audience will potentially get to see the breathtaking experience that is “Shotime” as they look to make the postseason for the first time since 2014.
Yep, we have one too
