The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Angels’ Ohtani is overwhelming favorite to win AL MVP award
ANAHEIM, Calif. — As Shohei Ohtani climbed the dugout steps, some 50,000 spectators rose to their feet.
In Saturday night’s game between the Angels and Dodgers, just the sight of the two-way star was enough to cause a stir.
Though Ohtani didn’t start any of the three games, with his designated hitter spot unavailable in the National League Freeway Series and his turn in the rotation not due up, he pinch-hit each day. And when he walked to the plate Saturday, a tied game hung the balance. Chavez Ravine came to life.
Part of the crowd broke out in cheers. Others desperately booed. Some began chanting “M-V-P!” But all admired, either in fear or anticipation or simple awe at a player who, even four months into an historic season, continues to perform in a way the sport has never seen.
“I know there’s other guys having good years, but you have to stop and really analyze and think about what’s going on here,” Angels manager Joe Maddon said recently, when asked to evaluate Ohtani’s chances of winning the American League most valuable player award. “There’s nobody who even comes close to what he’s doing.”
While Ohtani hasn’t been in top form at the plate lately - he is batting just .138 in his last 11 games with no home runs, his longest drought all season — he is still being treated like one of the most dynamic forces in the game.
Saturday was the latest example, from the stir of the crowd to the decisions Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was forced to weigh in the dugout. Even with runners on first and second and two out, Roberts said he considered intentionally walking Ohtani to load the bases.
Instead, he rolled the dice and had reliever Brusdar Graterol “pitch him carefully.”
The gamble worked. Ohtani struck out against a 101.5-mph fastball to end the inning. And the Dodgers went on to win.
But for a moment, Ohtani had produced more lategame theatrics. Once again, he was center stage. In this Season of Shohei, such scenes have become routine. And though the Angels’ hopes of making the playoffs might be fading, with the club eight games out of a wild-card spot, Ohtani’s star remains as bright as ever.
“It’s not even close,” Maddon said. “What he’s doing is so unique, it’s so different. To compare him to anybody else right now, you just can’t.”
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., whose team opens a four-game series in Anaheim on Tuesday, presents the most compelling case.
The 22-year-old son of the Angels’ Hall of Fame legend, Guerrero entered this week leading all batters in wins above replacement, according to Fangraphs. With a .318 average (fourth in the AL), 35 home runs (second) and 87 RBIs (first), he has an outside shot at winning the triple crown.
And yet, with less than two months to play, it seems like Ohtani already has one hand on the plaque.