Ohtani’s historic start places him in rarefied historical company
The two-way star recorded six scoreless innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks, maintaining his lead in the National League for on-base percentage while ranking second in MLB history for early-season ERA.
Shohei Ohtani delivered a dominant pitching performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, recording six scoreless innings that lowered his earned run average to 0.74 through 10 starts. The outing strengthened his campaign for a third consecutive National League Most Valuable Player award and his fifth overall, as he struck out six batters while allowing only two hits and one walk.
The statistical achievement places Ohtani in exclusive historical context. According to Major League Baseball records, only two pitchers have posted a lower ERA through their first 10 starts in league history: Jacob deGrom, who recorded a 0.56 mark in 2021, and Juan Marichal, who achieved 0.59 in 1966. Ohtani currently holds the best ERA among all pitchers with more than one start this season.
Ohtani’s offensive output remains equally significant, as he reached base in his first four plate appearances during the Diamondbacks game with two singles and two walks. This performance maintained his position at the top of the National League for on-base percentage. The Dodgers have managed his workload by providing him days off as a hitter when he is pitching, a strategy that has coincided with a resurgence in his batting average to .431 since 12 May.
Historical comparisons highlight the rarity of Ohtani’s dual dominance. While Fernando Valenzuela recorded an ERA of 1.24 by his 10th start during his 1980 season, he had accumulated significantly more innings than Ohtani at that stage. Ohtani’s ability to excel in both roles simultaneously distinguishes his current season, with the Dodgers holding the league’s top-ranked pitcher and hitter in the same player.
The performance underscores Ohtani’s value in his first full season as a primary pitcher for the Dodgers. Despite earlier reports of a lightened offensive output, his recent form suggests a complete return to elite production. His current metrics position him as a central figure in the MVP race, with statistical benchmarks that have only been surpassed by two other pitchers in the history of the sport.
