The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the National League West division crown on Thursday night with their 7-2 win over the rival San Diego Padres. Entering their series with San Diego, Los Angeles was only up three games, making it the most crucial series of the season.
After dropping the opener to the Padres, some fear started to creep in about the Dodgers losing the division to their rivals. But the team battled back to grab the final two games of the series and ultimately clinch their 11th division title in the last 12 seasons.
It was a total team effort but the Dodgers were led by superstar Shohei Ohtani . Ohtani has been everything that the Dodgers could have asked for and more this season, providing them with an extra spark throughout the year.
He has been on a tear of late as he gets ready for his first-ever postseason appearance. But over the final three games of the regular season, Ohtani has a chance to do something truly special as well.
Currently, he is the leader in the NL in home runs and runs batted in. But he sits third in batting average. If Ohtani can jump up to the first spot, he would win the Triple Crown.
While it’s unlikely with such a short window of opportunity, doubting Ohtani has never been a good idea. He currently holds a batting average of .305 entering Friday, sitting right behind Marcell Ozuna of the Atlanta Braves, who holds an average of .310.
Both players trail Luiz Arraez of the Padres, who has a batting average of .312 entering the final weekend. Arraez has been a batting champion in each of the last two seasons so it would likely take a mini slump for him to lose the top spot.
Nevertheless, this is still something to keep an eye on as the Dodgers head into the final weekend against the Colorado Rockies. Playing in Coors Field could help boost the chances of Ohtani since it has been known for strange occurrences, specifically with hitters.
If Ohtani is able to secure the Triple Crown, it would cap off one of the greatest seasons in Dodgers history. But while personal achievements are important to Ohtani, he is focused on one thing only, winning the World Series.
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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