Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Sets Rare Two-Way MLB Records in Second Start

Shohei Ohtani has made a remarkable impact in the 2025 MLB season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, showcasing his exceptional two-way abilities as both a pitcher and hitter. In his second pitching start for the Dodgers, Ohtani threw a scoreless inning with two strikeouts, demonstrating clear improvement and leaving Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts impressed by his composure and performance. Offensively, Ohtani had a historic day against the Washington Nationals, driving in five runs with a triple and a two-run homer, tying a Dodgers pitching RBI record not seen since 1935 and matching a nearly three-decade-old MLB record for home runs by a leadoff hitter. Despite his offensive dominance, Ohtani remains focused on improving his pitching, aiming to return to his peak form following two Tommy John surgeries, with fans and analysts excited about his potential impact when fully healthy on the mound. His ongoing excellence at the plate, leading the National League in several categories including homers, runs, slugging, and OPS, positions him as a strong candidate for a third straight MVP award. Ohtani's unique combination of pitching and hitting prowess continues to redefine baseball standards and energize the Dodgers as they contend in the NL West.