Watch: Shohei Ohtani blasts NL-leading 35th home run to straightaway center

Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani took back the NL lead in home runs with an incredible deep shot against the Pirates on Friday evening.

Ohtani, the leading contender to be named NL MVP, hit his 35th home run of the season on Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller's 88 mph slider.

The ball traveled an estimated 448 feet, making it Ohtani's ninth-longest home run this year, per Baseball Savant .

Earlier in the day, Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna hit his 34th home run to tie Ohtani for the NL lead.

It's fitting that Ohtani quickly regained the lead. After all, he's been one step ahead of the rest of the NL contenders for MVP all season.

Per Covers.com , he's an overwhelming favorite at sportsbooks including DraftKings (-1400), FanDuel (-1300) and bet365 (-1111).

Ohtani needs 12 more home runs to set a personal record for most home runs in a season. He hit 46 in 2021 en route to his first AL MVP award. He also won the award in 2022 with the Angels.

He can become only the second player in MLB history to be named MVP as a member of both leagues, joining Hall-of-Famer Frank Robinson.

Ohtani is also seeking to become the first designated hitter to win the award.

Just like his 35th home run, when he wins the award there'll be no doubt about it.