Shohei Ohtani is on the verge of becoming the sixth player in Major League Baseball history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases.
The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar stole his 38th base on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners to go along with his 39 homers on the season. Earlier this month, he was the third-fastest player to reach the 30-30 threshold. Ohtani seems likely to reach the 40-homer mark this week, with the Dodgers amid a nine-game home stand. His 40th steal is within reach, too.
Five players have preceded Ohtani in the 40-40 club, beginning 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 mark Ohtani likely won’t reach.)
Fastest to 40-40?
Ohtani is on pace to join the 40-40 club sooner in a season than any of his peers. Canseco stole his 40th base on Sept. 23, 1998. Bonds reached 40 steals on Sept. 27, 1996. Rodriguez hit his 40th home run on Sept. 19, 1998. Soriano stole his 40th base on Sept. 16, 2006. And Acuña slugged his 40th homer on Sept. 22, 2023.
The other five went deep into September before reaching the 40-40 mark. Ohtani could do it in August.
Ohtani is a safe bet to hit a home run against any pitching staff. However, some tough opposition might prevent him from getting those numbers this week.
The Dodgers complete their series against the Mariners, who lead MLB with a 3.48 team ERA and rank 22nd in home runs allowed with 130, on Wednesday. After Seattle are the Tampa Bay Rays with a 3.94 ERA and the third-most homers allowed with 155. Then the Baltimore Orioles visit Dodger Stadium. The Orioles figure to be a tough matchup regardless, with the AL’s best record (73–52) and a 36-24 mark on the road. The O’s also have a 3.94 ERA while allowing the seventh-fewest home runs, at 129.
Barring an unfortunate and untimely injury, Ohtani will reach the 40-40 mark before the end of this season. Given that he leads the National League in home runs, runs scored, slugging percentage and OPS, his third MVP award in four seasons seems a near certainty as well.
