Shohei Ohtani reaches 47-48: Dodgers star hits HR, adds another SB to continue campaign at 50-50

Shohei Ohtani is just three home runs and two stolen bases away from making history with 16 games remaining.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star hit his 47th home run of the season against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, adding 47 stolen bases to his tally, sealing MLB’s first 47-47 season. The homer also set a new career high in long balls, surpassing his previous record of 46 in 2021.

With two more homers, Ohtani would tie Shawn Green’s Dodgers record for most homers in a season. The former All-Star hit 49 in 2001.

Ohtani’s home run, however, was just the beginning of the fireworks for the Dodgers on Wednesday. After a two-run Cubs rally in the first inning, the Dodgers got on the board through Ohtani and then had Tommy Edman, Will Smith and Max Muncy hit two consecutive home runs from Chicago starter Jordan Wicks to make it 5-2.

That rally also left Ohtani as leadoff batter for the second inning. After a full-count walk, Ohtani stole his 48th base of the season to move closer to the mythical 50-50 tie.

Wednesday marked the 12th time Ohtani has both a home run and a steal in the same game, leaving him one game shy of the MLB record for most such games, set by Rickey Henderson.

Is Shohei Ohtani Heading for 50-50?

Yes. With 47 home runs and 48 stolen bases and 16 games remaining on the Dodgers’ regular-season schedule after Wednesday, Ohtani is on pace to have 52 home runs and 53 steals by the end of the regular season.

Ohtani needed seven consecutive games without a home run to get below 50 home runs.