After Beginning 50-50 Club, Where Will It End With Ohtani

September 20, 2024 by Dave Congrove

Shohei Ohtani had a historical game in Miami on Thursday, driving in a franchise record 10 runs in the 20-4 win over the Marlins. In the process, he was 6-for-6 at the plate with 3 home runs. Thank goodness he didn't hit 6 home runs or he wouldn't have been able to collect the two stolen bases that he added to his individual feats as he became the first player to ever hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season. He finished the night with 51 of each.

The 50-50 club is open, but it's likely to remain a one man club for years to come.

Heading into this weekend's games, he sits on 51 stolen bases and 51 home runs, and he is now just two home runs behind Aaron Judge for the Major League lead. Ohtani has 9 games left to see how far he can stretch is record numbers.

As a team, the Dodgers benefitted tremendously from their star player's night as they clinched a berth in the National League playoffs for the 12th straight season. On top of that, the win reduced the magic number to six as they strive to claim their 11th NL West title in that span. The only they they didn't win the West was in 2021 when they still won 107 games, but finished second to San Francisco's 108.

The disappointment in LA-LA Land is that the 2020 Pandemic-shortened season is the only time they were able to win the World Series during the magical run. We'll see if they can add another this year.

The Dodgers are back home in Los Angeles tonight to begin a weekend set against the Colorado Rockies. Everyone will still be on a Shohei home run and stolen base alert and there plenty Ohtani prop bet options.

So far, the Dodgers and three other teams have clinched a playoff spot - the Cleveland Guardians, New York Yankees and the Milwaukee Brewers. Milwaukee is the only one of those to have already celebrated a division title.

The Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies, along with the Guardians, Dodgers, and Yankees are currently the most likely teams to join Milwaukee as the winners of their respective divisions.

The top American League Wild Card teams as we head into the weekend are the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals, with the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers tied for the third spot.

In the National League, the Wild Card leaders are the Mets and Braves, with Seattle, Chicago and St. Louis battling for the third spot.

See the complete MLB Standings and track which teams clinch a playoff spot, claim a division title, and ultimately, which one team has the advantage all the way through the payoffs.