It will likely be a celebration of Shohei Ohtani on Friday when the Los Angeles Dodgers open their remaining homestand of the season with a recreation towards the Colorado Rockies.
Ohtani secured the primary 50-homer, 50-steal season in MLB historical past on Thursday towards the Miami Marlins with one of many greatest offensive days ever. Ohtani now has 51 residence runs and 51 steals after a six-hit recreation that included three residence runs, two steals and 10 RBIs.
Ohtani had 5 extra-base hits and 17 whole bases whereas delivering the sixteenth double-digit RBI recreation in MLB historical past and first since Mark Reynolds in 2018. It’s the Dodgers’ single-game RBI file.
“If I am being trustworthy, it was one thing I needed to recover from with as quickly as doable,” Ohtani mentioned by interpreter Will Ireton, referencing the truth that the state of affairs was taking over a lifetime of its personal with specialty marked baseballs so that they may very well be recognized.
The Dodgers (91-62) had loads of causes to have a good time as Ohtani not solely delivered his historic recreation, he helped the workforce clinch a playoff spot within the 20-4 victory. However the Dodgers saved the get together restricted to a champagne toast earlier than its cross-country flight.
“Clearly I modified groups this yr and my objective has all the time been to make it to the playoffs,” Ohtani mentioned. “It is one thing I’ve actually labored arduous at and I am actually blissful to have been capable of make it and now my objective is to carry out properly in playoff conditions.”
It will likely be Ohtani’s first journey to the postseason after enjoying his first six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.
“This was a win for Main League Baseball,” mentioned Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts, who noticed Ohtani attain the 40-40 membership on a game-ending grand slam Aug. 23 towards the Tampa Bay Rays. “I do know folks all around the globe had been watching this recreation and we’re excited they received an opportunity to witness historical past. This recreation has been round a very long time and he is considered one of one.”
But the workforce targets is not going to cease now. The Dodgers elevated their Nationwide League West lead over the second-place San Diego Padres to 4 video games. Each groups have 9 video games to play, together with three video games towards one another at Los Angeles beginning Tuesday.
Los Angeles is tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for one of the best file within the main leagues.
The Dodgers haven’t named a starter for Friday, with Roberts suggesting it may very well be a bullpen recreation. Nevertheless they play it, they’re anticipated so as to add a contemporary pitcher to the lively roster.
The Rockies (59-94) are set to ship left-hander Kyle Freeland (5-7, 4.89 ERA) to the mound. Freeland gave up three runs over seven innings in a no-decision towards the Chicago Cubs on Saturday and has a 2.35 ERA over his previous 5 begins (30 2/3 innings).
Freeland is 5-10 with a 4.75 ERA towards the Dodgers in 23 profession begins.
The Rockies are 5-2 since Sept. 12 however nonetheless want 4 extra wins to keep away from their second consecutive 100-loss season.
“I feel our protection has been stable, we have gotten some well timed hitting and we nonetheless must hit a bit of extra,” Rockies supervisor Bud Black mentioned. “However collectively, the pitching workers has hung in there.”
The Rockies head to Los Angeles after successful two of three at residence towards the Arizona Diamondbacks. Black recorded his 535th win as Colorado supervisor on Tuesday, essentially the most ever in franchise historical past.
–Discipline Stage Media