Shohei Ohtani’s chances of winning the National League Triple Crown are looking uncertain as he faces a slump in August.
The Triple Crown, which requires a player to lead the league in batting average, home runs, and RBIs.
Is a rare achievement in Major League Baseball, last accomplished by Miguel Cabrera in 2012.
Earlier this season, Ohtani was a strong contender in all three categories.
However, his batting average has dropped significantly this month, with a .181 average compared to at least .260 in previous months.
This decline has brought his overall average down from above .300 to .290.
“He’s losing his foundation, his base, his connection to the ground,” Dodgers manager Roberts said, via The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya. “That’s never a good sign for a hitter.”
Currently, Ohtani ranks 16th in MLB batting average and seventh in the National League, trailing behind Marcell Ozuna of the Atlanta Braves, who leads with a .309 average.
Only Ozuna and Luis Arráez of the San Diego Padres are batting above .300 in the NL.
To regain his footing in the batting race, Ohtani will need to turn things around in the final month of the season. He does have a three-game hitting streak and has recorded hits in four of his last five games, indicating he still has the potential to bounce back.
In terms of home runs and RBIs, Ohtani is in a stronger position. He leads the NL with 39 home runs, holding a three-home run lead over Ozuna. He is currently second in RBIs with 88, just five behind Ozuna’s 93.
Winning the Triple Crown would be a remarkable addition to Ohtani’s already impressive resume. Even if he doesn’t achieve this milestone, he remains a favorite for the NL MVP award and is on track to join the exclusive 40-40 club, with 39 home runs and 37 stolen bases.
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Source: USA Today
