DENVER (AP) — Shohei Ohtani's locked in at the plate, on the bases, for the NL MVP and now even on the Triple Crown. It's been that kind of late-season surge for the Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter who's already invented the 50-50 club. Ohtani went 4 for 5 — including his 54th homer of the season and 57th stolen base — in an 11-4 win over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night to keep in the running for the prestigious NL Triple Crown.
Ohtani's torrid performance ensures he's in the lineup for the final two games — just to see what can happen. “I’m personally invested in the Triple Crown,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I know he’s cognizant of it.
" Heading into the weekend, Ohtani’s leading the NL in homers (54) and RBIs (130). He raised his average to .309 on Friday, trailing only San Diego's Luis Arráez (.
314) in the batting average race. The last AL Triple Crown winner was Miguel Cabrera in 2012. In the NL, the St.
Louis Cardinals' Joe Medwick in 1937 was the last player to lead the league in all three categories. “He’s locked in,” teammate Chris Taylor said of Ohtani. Perhaps even beyond locked in for the NL West-champion Dodgers.
Ohtani now has 24 hits over his last 34 at-bats, which includes six doubles, six homers, 20 RBIs and eight steals. “He’s definitely in a zone right now,” added Taylor, whose team is 38-12 when Ohtani goes deep. "He’s feeling it.
We’re all just watching him continue to have a good year and he’s fi.