The Chicago Cubs would be the subsequent workforce to get an up-close have a look at Shohei Ohtani after they open a three-game highway collection in opposition to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.
Ohtani hit his forty sixth house run of the season Sunday in opposition to the Cleveland Guardians. He additionally has 46 stolen bases as he closes in on the primary 50-50 season in MLB historical past with 19 regular-season video games remaining.
Ohtani tied Alfonso Soriano (2006) for essentially the most house runs throughout a 40-40 season.
“Man, you simply do not see guys hitting the ball that far, as onerous as he hits it,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned. “He is simply locked in and 50-50, the chase is on, and I simply actually hope he does it at house.”
Because the historic milestone approaches, Ohtani continues to say it’s all in regards to the workforce, although a 50-50 accomplishment might earn him his third MVP award and the primary by a participant who was primarily a chosen hitter.
“It is one thing I’ll look again on on the finish of the season,” Ohtani mentioned by means of an interpreter. “What’s extra essential is to win the sport and the collection and thankfully we had been capable of do each (Sunday).”
The Dodgers gained for the eighth time of their previous 11 video games they usually have both gained or tied a collection of their previous 9 tries. The Dodgers (86-57) moved six video games up on the second-place San Diego Padres within the Nationwide League West.
Los Angeles will ship right-hander Walker Buehler (1-4, 5.67 ERA) to the mound Monday. Buehler has made 12 begins since coming back from a two-year absence after his second Tommy John surgical procedure and has given up simply two earned runs in every of his previous two outings.
In six profession appearances (5 begins) in opposition to the Cubs, Buehler is 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA.
The Cubs (73-70) will counter with right-hander Kyle Hendricks (3-11, 6.60), who hasn’t pitched at Dodger Stadium since 2019.
Hendricks is coming off a robust outing in opposition to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday when he gave up two runs in 5 innings however ended up with the loss.
In seven profession begins in opposition to the Dodgers, Hendricks is 3-3 with a 5.68 ERA, giving up 9 house runs in 38 innings. In his three begins at Los Angeles, he’s 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA and has allowed 4 house runs in 14 innings.
After going 8-1 to complete August and buoy their playoff hopes, the Cubs have misplaced 4 of their previous six video games. They dropped two of three at house in opposition to the New York Yankees after they scored two runs the whole collection.
Monday begins a six-game highway journey for the Cubs, who’ve simply 9 highway video games remaining this season. The Cubs have averaged 4.0 runs in 71 house video games and 5.0 runs in 72 highway video games.
“A few of that’s in all probability randomness, and a few of that’s in all probability the truth that the wind is blowing in (at house) nearly daily this 12 months,” Chicago president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer mentioned. “… I do not suppose you possibly can actually take all these issues into consideration till the season’s over and we are able to actually make these (roster) changes.”
–Discipline Degree Media
