Shohei Ohtani is on pace to become the sixth player in Major League Baseball history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases.
The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar enters Monday’s game with 39 homers and 37 stolen bases. Earlier this month, he was the third-fastest player to reach the 30-30 threshold. Ohtani appears likely to reach the 40-homer mark this week as the Dodgers begin a nine-game home run. His 40th steal is also within reach.
Five players preceded Ohtani in the 40-40 club, starting 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 record Ohtani likely won’t reach.)
Fastest to 40-40?
If Ohtani joins the 40-40 club in the next two weeks, he would have done it earlier in a season than any of his peers. Canseco stole his 40th base on September 23, 1998. Bonds reached 40 steals on September 27, 1996. Rodriguez hit his 40th home run on September 19, 1998. Soriano stole his 40th base on September 16, 2006. And Acuña hit his 40th home run on September 22, 2023.
The other five continued through September before reaching the 40-40 mark. Ohtani could do it again in August.
Ohtani has every chance of hitting a home run against any pitcher. However, tough opposition could prevent him from getting those numbers this week.
The homestand begins Monday against the Seattle Mariners, who lead MLB with a 3.48 ERA and rank 22nd in home runs allowed with 130. Next up are the Tampa Bay Rays with a 3.94 ERA and the third-most home runs allowed with 155. Next up, the Baltimore Orioles travel to Dodger Stadium. The Orioles should be a tough opponent regardless, with the best record in the American League (73-52) and a 36-24 away mark. The O’s also have a 3.94 ERA while allowing the seventh-fewest home runs with 129.
Barring an unfortunate and untimely injury, Ohtani will inevitably reach the 40-40 mark this season. And with him leading the National League in home runs, runs batted in, hitting percentage and OPS, his third MVP award in four seasons also seems a near certainty.