Shohei Ohtani enters the final stretch of the 2026 MLB season with another remarkable chapter still being written. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar already owns four MVP awards, including three consecutive unanimous selections. Yet his latest MVP chase has taken a very different path.
A Different Kind of MVP Race
Ohtani’s 2026 season has once again demonstrated why his value is difficult to measure using conventional baseball categories. According to MLB Statcast, he has combined significant offensive production with a strong return to the mound.
Through his 2026 pitching work, Ohtani went 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA, 95 strikeouts and a 0.95 WHIP across 14 starts. At the plate, he has produced 30 home runs, 80 RBIs and a .902 OPS.
However, injuries changed the equation. Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 because of his left knee, while a right biceps issue also interrupted his hitting schedule. MLB reported that he was building back exclusively as a hitter and was not expected to pitch again during the 2026 regular season.
The Historic Standard He Created
Ohtani’s record book already makes almost every new season feel like a historical comparison. In 2024, he became the first player in MLB history to reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in one season.
He finished that campaign with 54 homers and 59 steals. That performance also established a new Dodgers single-season home-run record at the time, while creating baseball’s first official 50-50 season.
His 2025 season added another milestone. Ohtani won his fourth MVP award unanimously, and MLB noted that he hit a career-high 55 home runs while also returning as a two-way player.
What Happens in the Final Days?
The 2026 MVP conversation is now more complicated. Ohtani’s historic two-way profile remains unique, but Chicago Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong has produced a remarkable season and moved ahead in many MVP discussions.
Ohtani was activated from the injured list on September 23 and is expected to contribute as a hitter during the Dodgers’ final regular-season games. The Dodgers’ postseason outlook makes his return particularly important as Los Angeles prepares for October.
Why Ohtani’s Record Watch Still Matters
Even if the 2026 MVP race becomes more competitive, Ohtani’s broader legacy remains the bigger story. His combination of power, speed and pitching has repeatedly created statistical territory that previously did not exist.
From the first 50-50 season to multiple unanimous MVP awards, Ohtani has changed how baseball evaluates a superstar. The final days of 2026 will show whether another award joins his collection—or whether his season becomes another reminder that his impact cannot be captured by one trophy.
For fans watching the MLB statistical leaderboards, the remaining games offer one final opportunity to watch one of baseball’s most unusual careers continue to evolve.
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