The last day of the regular season is here, and Shohei Ohtani has a shot at history.
Ohtani could become the first National League Triple Crown winner since Joe Medwick in 1937. With 54 home runs and 130 RBIs, he leads the league by a wide margin in both categories.
However, to clinch the Triple Crown, Ohtani needs to raise his batting average by about four points on Sunday.
Batting Race:
Currently, Luis Arraez leads with a .31388 average, followed by Ohtani at .31013 and Marcell Ozuna at .3064. Just two weeks ago, Ohtani was hitting .287 but has surged with a blistering hot streak: 26 hits in his last 39 at-bats (.667). Meanwhile, Arraez has struggled recently, going just 5 for 28 (.179), including an 0 for 12 stretch against the Dodgers .
On Saturday, Ohtani went 2 for 5 while Arraez sat out as the Padres rested key players like Jackson Merrill and Fernando Tatis Jr. ahead of the postseason. Mike Shildt expects Arraez to play Sunday as he aims for his third consecutive batting title.
To secure the batting title and complete the Triple Crown feat on Sunday, Ohtani must go at least 3 for 4 while hoping Arraez goes hitless in four attempts. A lesser performance won’t suffice; even going 2-for-4 will leave him shy of overtaking Arraez’s average.
Sunday’s Showdown:
Both players are expected to get five at-bats each due to their leadoff positions and playing in hitter-friendly parks—Ohtani in Coors Field and Arraez in Chase Field. Here’s how different outcomes might play out:
| Arraez | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohtani | 0-5 | 1-5 | 2-5 | 3-5 | 4-5 |
| 0-5 | Arraez | Arraez | Arraez | Arraez | |
| 1-5 | Arraez | Arraez | Arraez | ||
| 2-5 |
Fans might feel anxious about this tight race between two top hitters!
Given his recent form—hitting .667 over nine games—it’s hard to bet against Ohtani pulling off another miracle. Yet much depends on how San Diego manages their star player. If Luis gets a hit early on Sunday, it could force San Diego’s hand into pulling him from action .
Remember that while Dodgers face an already defeated Rockies team just looking forward to vacation time Padres are up against Diamondbacks fighting tooth-and-nail for wildcard spot which means tougher pitches & matchups await Luis compared softer ones Shohei likely encounter facing Colorado pitchers less motivated than ever before end season finale game ends soon enough everyone heads home finally relax unwind bit after long grueling baseball year behind them all now done dusted over gone bye-bye see ya later folks!
Miguel Cabrera was last player achieve such incredible feat back when he won Triple Crown hitting .330 alongside smashing whopping total forty-four homers driving hundred thirty-nine runs during memorable unforgettable magical year Tigers had way back then decade ago almost feels like yesterday doesn’t it?
What do you think? Can Ohtani make history or will it be too tall an order?
