Shohei Ohtani has picked up right where he left off last season. After winning the MVP in 2024, he has again put together a dominant season. The Dodgers’ superstar remains one of the top stars in baseball this year, and once more, he is a leading contender for NL MVP honors. But this time, he has a serious competition from Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber. Both players have pushed their teams toward the postseason in big ways.
Former Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. recently opened up on the NL MVP race. He praised what Ohtani has done, but also said he believes Schwarber still has a chance to make it a close race.
“Shohei Ohtani is ridiculous,” said Amaro on a recent episode of The Phillies Show. “Had [Ohtani] had more starts and had more of an impact as a starter, I think it’d be a runaway. But as it stands, there’s still a fighting chance that Schwarber gets the nod.”
While, Amaro is rooting for Schwarber, many believes it will be landslide victory for the 3-time MVP winner.
NL MVP Race In Numbers: Shohei Ohtani vs. Kyle Schwarber
Ohtani’s numbers this season give plenty of reasons for Amaro’s high praise. In 151 games this season, he is posting a .283 batting average, with 52 home runs, and 98 RBIs. He is among league leaders in OPS, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage.
Meanwhile, Schwarber is just ahead in home runs with 53, but has a .932 OPS as compared to Ohtani, who has a staggering 1.013. The other factor that makes Ohtani a slight favourite is his contributions to the mound.
In the end, this could come down to more than numbers. It may matter which team goes further in the postseason. If the Dodgers go all the way, that could seal it for Ohtani. However, the Dodgers’ early exit could open the doors for Schwarber if his team manages to go deep in the playoffs. Either way, this year’s race is shaping up to be one of the more interesting ones in recent memory.
The post Ex-Phillies GM Gets Honest On NL MVP Race, Calls Shohei Ohtani ‘Ridiculous’ Amid Battle With Kyle Schwarber originally published on Total Pro Sports.