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Shohei Ohtani Off to Historic Start After Launching Two Homers in Dodgers' Win

The Dodgers superstar is on pace to set career bests in nearly every category.

Tom Dierberger

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after mashing his 10th home run of the season.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani rounds the bases after mashing his 10th home run of the season. / Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
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Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani is off to quite the start at the plate in 2024.

Ohtani homered twice in the Dodgers' 5–1 win over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday to help complete a sweep of the team which entered the weekend with the best record in baseball. He went 4-for-4 on Sunday against the Braves and smacked his second homer of the day 464 feet to center field.

Ohtani now is tied for the league lead in homers with 10. In 35 games, he has collected 25 extra-base hits (14 doubles, one triple, 10 homers), the most for a player's first 35 contests with the Dodgers in MLB history (h/t Sarah Langs).

But there's more.

Ohtani's 25 extra-base hits through 35 games also marks his best start to a season. He also has never posted more hits (52), runs (30), total bases (98) or notched a better batting average (.364), on-base percentage (.426) or slugging percentage (.685) through 35 contests in his career.

The Dodgers gave Ohtani a 10-year, $700 million contract in free agency last offseason in hopes he'd continue to be the two-way superstar

Ohtani won't pitch until next year, but he already might be worth the Dodgers' investment solely from his offensive production so far.

Ohtani and the Dodgers return to the field Monday to begin a three-game series against the Miami Marlins, who own the second-fewest wins in the National League with a 10–26 record.

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Tom Dierberger

TOM DIERBERGER