Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani moves closer to his first 40-40 season. When could he accomplish the feat?
Shohei Ohtani is on the verge of becoming the sixth player in Major League Baseball history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases.
The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar stole his 39th base on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners to go along with his 39 homers on the season. He would go on to score on a Freddie Freeman double, a small part of the Dodgers' 8-4 win to complete a sweep of Seattle.
Shohei Ohtani with another stolen bag. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Fcmn6rx6Tv
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 22, 2024
Earlier this month, Ohtani was the third-fastest player to reach the 30-30 threshold. He seems likely to reach the 40-homer mark in the next week, with the Dodgers amid a nine-game home stand. His 40th steal is now well within reach, too.
Five players have preceded Ohtani in the 40-40 club, beginning with Jose Canseco in 1988. He was followed by Barry Bonds (1996), Alex Rodriguez (1998), Alfonso Soriano (2006) and Ronald Acuña Jr.last season. (Acuña stole 60 bases last season, a mark Ohtani likely won't reach.)
Ohtani could make his own unique history, however, by becoming the first player to post a 45-45 season. He is also a near-lock to join the 40-40 club in record time.
Fastest to 40-40?
Ohtani is on pace to join the 40-40 club sooner in a season than any of his peers. Canseco stole his 40th base on Sept. 23, 1998. Bonds reached 40 steals on Sept. 27, 1996. Rodriguez hit his 40th home run on Sept. 19, 1998. Soriano stole his 40th base on Sept. 16, 2006. And Acuña slugged his 40th homer on Sept. 22, 2023.
The other five went deep into September before reaching the 40-40 mark. Ohtani could do it in August.
Shohei Ohtani has his second stolen base of the game.
He now has 37 steals to go with 37 home runs. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/zMwgsb8UIz— MLB (@MLB) August 18, 2024
Ohtani is a safe bet to hit a home run against any pitching staff. However, some tough opposition might prevent him from getting those numbers this week.
After the Seattle series are the Tampa Bay Rays with a 3.94 ERA and the third-most homers allowed in MLB with 155. Then the Baltimore Orioles visit Dodger Stadium. The Orioles figure to be a tough matchup regardless, with the AL's best record (73–52) and a 36-24 mark on the road. The O's also have a 3.94 ERA while allowing the seventh-fewest home runs, at 129.
Barring an unfortunate and untimely injury, Ohtani will reach the 40-40 mark before the end of this season. Given that he leads the National League in home runs, runs scored, slugging percentage and OPS, his third MVP award in four seasons seems a near certainty as well.
