Poll: What If Shohei Ohtani Could Onlly Play One Way?

[Editor's note: Welcome to Athlon Sports' poll of the day, where we ask readers to weigh in on the biggest topic of the day. Thanks for voting, and be sure to sound off in the comment section.]

Another day, another big game for Shohei Ohtani. The Los Angeles Dodgers' two-way star allowed one run and struck out 10 Wednesday night as the Dodgers capped a three-game sweep over the New York Mets with an 8-2 win. Ohtani improved to 2-0 with an 0.50 ERA, but the one run allowed ended Ohtani's streak of 32 2/3 scoreless innings. Still, because this was the first time since 2021 that Ohtani pitched but was not in the lineup, his on-base streak of 48 games is still alive.

Since the earned run became an official stat in 1913, Ohtani and Babe Ruth are the only major leaguers with an on-base streak of 30-plus games and a streak of 30-plus innings without allowing an earned run at any point in their careers.

Ohtani didn't bat because he was nursing a bruised shoulder after being hit by a pitch Monday night. Rest assured, Ohtani pitching but not hitting was an aberration. Still, worth asking...

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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 8:42 AM.