Will Shohei Ohtani cap off his incredible 2024 season with final flourish as World Series MVP?
It's been a year to remember for Shohei Ohtani for several reasons. After signing a record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason, Ohtani overcame some obstacles in his first season with his new team.
The two-time American League MVP has taken the star-studded Los Angeles Dodgers to another level this season. This includes a historic year that saw Shohei Ohtani become the first player in MLB history to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season, finishing with 54 and 59, respectively.
Thanks to his tremendous performance, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar is viewed as the current frontrunner to add a National League MVP Award to his laundry list of achievements. However, that might not be the only accolade he could add to his cap this season.
Aside from potentially winning the World Series, Shohei Ohtani is also considered the frontrunner to win the World Series MVP Award. According to popular sports betting website DraftKings, Ohtani is considered the favorite to win the award. Shohei sits at +200 on the website, just ahead of New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who sits at +400.
If the Dodgers can bring the World Series title back to Los Angeles, it would be tough to imagine that Ohtani would not be the one walking away with the individual award. The Japanese star has been a force throughout the playoffs, posting a .286 batting average with three home runs, 10 RBIS, and a .934 OPS.
Shohei Ohtani relishing first taste of postseason baseball
After six disappointing seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, during which Ohtani never appeared in a single postseason game, the two-way superstar finds himself in the World Series in his first year with his new club. While there was some criticism for the Dodgers signing an injured Ohtani to such a massive contract, there is no denying the effect that he has had on the team.
Ohtani has been playing with a level of joy that has many fans excited for the superstar. After the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a World Series berth, Shohei Ohtani was seen living it up in the team's clubhouse, sharing drinks and spraying champagne. Given the pressure of playing in the World Series, it's surprising how loose Ohtani appears during every game.