(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Angels remain in the playoff hunt thanks to the efforts of one player.
When you think Shohei Ohtani cannot get any better, he adds another milestone to his career.
With June coming to a close, Ohtani put together one of the best months imaginable.
According to OptaSTATS, Ohtani has hit 13 home runs and struck out 37 batters on the mound.
That makes him the first player in MLB history with 10+ homers and 35+ pitching strikeouts in a month.
The @Angels‘ Shohei Ohtani in June:
13 HR (batting)
37 K (pitching)
He’s the first player in MLB history to hit 10+ HR and strike out 35+ batters in a month.
Only one other player has had a 10-HR month and a 35-K month at any point in his career (same month or not): Babe Ruth. pic.twitter.com/HCNudl5dHH
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) June 28, 2023
The only player that compares to Ohtani is baseball legend Babe Ruth.
But not even he was dominating as a two-way player like Ohtani is.
Ohtani has played his way into being the overwhelming favorite for AL MVP.
While the individual achievements are impressive, Ohtani has yet to play in the playoffs in his MLB career.
The Angels are hoping to end that drought this season.
They are 44-37 on the year and sit five games behind the Texas Rangers for first place in the AL West.
Based on how they have played this year this is the season where the Angels have to get to the playoffs.
Also, they have more than just a playoff drought to worry about.
Ohtani is a free agent after this season and if the Angels fail to make the playoffs again he might be headed out.
The 28-year-old is in line for what will be the most lucrative contract in MLB history.
Finding a way to keep Ohtani will be the most important move for the Angels in recent memory.
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