As September unfolds, Shohei Ohtani is on the brink of making history every time he steps onto the field. With an impressive 44 home runs and 46 stolen bases so far this season, he is making waves as the only player in the 43-43 and 44-44 Clubs. With over 20 games remaining, the possibility of reaching 50-50 is within his grasp.
After a somewhat lackluster performance in August, Ohtani seemed to find his rhythm in a recent series against the Diamondbacks, showcasing his skills with five hits, two home runs, and four stolen bases. According to FanGraphs projections, he is on track to hit 50 homers and swipe 51 bases by the end of the season.
Amidst his impending return to Anaheim to face his former team, the Dodgers, Ohtani remains diplomatic when discussing his free agency. Despite not receiving an offer from the Angels, he expresses gratitude for the opportunities presented by other teams, including the Dodgers.
The Angels’ failure to build a competitive team around Ohtani and Mike Trout during his tenure in Anaheim seems to have played a significant role in his decision to move on. With reports indicating that the Angels have no plans to acknowledge Ohtani’s return, the tension between him and his former team is palpable.
As Ohtani inches closer to hitting his 45th home run, there is a sense of poetic justice in the possibility of achieving this milestone on Angel Stadium turf in front of fans who may now see him as a rival. The Dodgers’ recent victory over the Diamondbacks only adds fuel to the fire, setting the stage for Ohtani to further assert his presence in the rivalry between the two California teams.
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