While Shohei Ohtani continues to make progress toward pitching again in 2025, he’s providing the Los Angeles Dodgers with yet another productive season atop their lineup.
Some of Ohtani’s latest efforts include a game-winning three-run home run in the ninth inning of a wild win against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ohtani finished 3-for-6 with two doubles and four RBI in the Dodgers’ 14-11 win this past Friday.
The three-time MVP has a knack for coming through in the clutch and was compared to Barry Bonds by manager Dave Roberts after the game, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“Between him and Barry Bonds, they’re the two best players I’ve ever seen,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I played with Barry. But what Shohei does in the clutch — I’ve never seen anything like what he does in the clutch.”
Bonds is considered one of the most clutch players in MLB history, and for Roberts to place Ohtani above him in that category speaks volumes.
Ohtani has only been with the Dodgers for parts of two seasons, but he is already responsible for several game-tying or winning hits. Earlier this season, the 30-year-old hit a walk-off home run against the Atlanta Braves on his bobblehead night.
After a historic 2024 season, Ohtani has gotten off to another excellent start as he is hitting .308/.410/.641 with eight doubles, four triples, 12 home runs, 21 RBI and 10 stolen bases through 39 games this year.
Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers make MLB history
The Dodgers made MLB history by becoming the first team in the modern era (since 1901) to have a lead, erase a deficit and go ahead by at least five runs, then trail by three or more before coming back again and winning the game.
The offensive explosion helped erase what was a frustrating night for Dodgers pitching. Roki Sasaki allowed five runs over just four innings in his first start of the season on five days’ rest.
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