The Los Angeles Dodgers started their road trip with two crucial wins against the Arizona Diamondbacks, led in part by Shohei Ohtani as he continues to close in on the first season in MLB history with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases.
Ohtani had two extra-base hits in the series opener, including his 43rd home run of the season. That came after the superstar talent also stole his 43rd base, becoming the first player to reach that many in both categories during the same year.
It marked the sixth game in August that Ohtani had at least one home run and one stolen base. That gave him the MLB record for most such games in one calendar month.
Shohei Ohtani of the @Dodgers has homered and stolen a base in the same game 6 times this month.
That's the most such games by any player in any single month in MLB history. pic.twitter.com/G022K8RzdP
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) August 31, 2024
Ohtani followed the record-setting performance by combining with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman to hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the first inning.
Ohtani’s massive uptick in baserunning aggressiveness is a welcomed piece to his range of impactful tools. Slotting into the leadoff spot of the Dodgers lineup opens him up to get on base, steal a bag, and provide them with immediate scoring opportunities.
The Dodgers have leaned on Ohtani in his first year with the team, and his play directly lines up with emerging as the favorite for the National League MVP Award.
Shohei Ohtani sets Dodgers record
Ohtani has 11 games this season with at least one home run and one stolen base, which is a new Dodgers franchise record.
It previously belonged to Kirk Gibson, who had seven such performances during the 1988 season.
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