Shohei Ohtani’s much-anticipated first career start at Coors Field turned into a night he’d probably rather erase from his memory. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way superstar, who’s been dazzling fans all season, faced a rough ride in Denver on August 21, 2025. In just four innings, Ohtani was tagged for nine hits and five earned runs—a line that tied his worst outing since July 2022 and matched a career high for hits allowed. But that wasn’t the only drama: in the fourth inning, a scorching 93 mph line drive off the bat of Colorado’s Orlando Arcia drilled Ohtani right on the thigh. The ball ricocheted up the first-base line as a run scored, and Ohtani limped in obvious pain, yet he gritted through to finish the inning before exiting the mound for good.
The Rockies, who’ve struggled all year and currently own the worst record in baseball, capitalized on the Dodgers’ misfortunes to secure a convincing 8-3 victory. For Ohtani, it was his 10th start since returning from elbow surgery, and he still hasn’t pitched beyond 4⅓ innings this season—a stat that’s starting to concern Dodgers fans as the postseason looms.
Manager Dave Roberts, quick to address the crowd’s anxiety, reassured everyone that Ohtani avoided major injury. “The ball avoided Ohtani’s knee, which likely prevented a much more serious injury,” Roberts told reporters after the game. Ohtani himself, speaking through an interpreter, echoed that relief: “I’m glad it didn’t hit the knee. We avoided the worst-case scenario. Now it’s about treatment.”
Even after taking that painful shot, Ohtani refused to let his night end quietly. He reached base twice, including a double in the fifth inning that extended his on-base streak to an impressive 18 games. However, with the Dodgers trailing and the game slipping away, Ohtani did not bat again and was replaced in the eighth inning. Roberts confirmed that Ohtani was already scheduled to rest during Thursday’s series finale and is expected back in the lineup for Friday’s showdown against the Padres.
Despite the rocky outing on the mound, Ohtani’s bat has been a major force all season. As of August 21, he’s hitting .284 with 44 home runs and 83 RBIs—just one homer behind National League leader Kyle Schwarber. That’s right, the MLB home run race is absolutely on fire, and Ohtani is smack in the middle of it.
With less than 40 games left in the regular season, the chase for the MLB home run crown has become a three-way sprint. Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh leads the pack with 47 home runs, a surprise to many who expected familiar names like Judge, Soto, or Ohtani to be atop the leaderboard. Raleigh’s relentless power at the plate has kept him ahead, but his Mariners face a brutal closing schedule: 11 of their last 12 series are against teams with .500 or better records. Seattle is also fighting tooth and nail for a playoff berth, so Raleigh’s at-bats will be under immense pressure.
Just behind Raleigh is Kyle Schwarber, the Philadelphia Phillies’ slugger, who’s surged into contention with 45 home runs. Schwarber’s schedule offers some advantages—he’ll play six more series at home in Citizens Bank Park, widely recognized as one of the most homer-friendly parks in the majors. Four of those series are against teams with losing records, giving Schwarber a golden opportunity to close the gap. Still, it’s not all smooth sailing: the Phillies have challenging road trips to Milwaukee and Los Angeles, two places where home runs are hard to come by. But Schwarber’s known for his hot streaks; he’s hit 10 or more homers in a single month before, so don’t count him out if he gets rolling at home.
And then there’s Ohtani, the wild card in this electrifying race. With 44 home runs, he’s lurking just three behind Raleigh and one behind Schwarber. What makes Ohtani so dangerous isn’t just his raw power—it’s his explosiveness. A couple of multi-homer games, especially with the Dodgers comfortably in playoff position, could flip the leaderboard in a heartbeat. Ohtani also has a favorable schedule ahead, including another series in Colorado and multiple matchups with the Diamondbacks and Orioles—both teams ranked in the bottom 10 for home runs allowed this season. That’s a recipe for fireworks if Ohtani can stay healthy and locked in at the plate.
The betting markets are reflecting just how tight this race has become. As of August 21, Raleigh is the favorite at -110, with Schwarber at +240 and Ohtani close behind at +270 on FanDuel. Analysts point out that Raleigh’s daunting schedule makes his hold on the top spot anything but secure, while Schwarber’s home-field advantage and Ohtani’s explosive potential make them both enticing picks for bettors and fans alike.
Let’s not forget about Aaron Judge, either. The Yankees’ captain is sitting at 40 home runs and a longshot +2000 odds to win the title. Stranger things have happened in baseball, but with the current pace and remaining games, Judge would need a historic surge to catch up.
Looking ahead, the drama could reach an epic climax: the Dodgers and Mariners are set to close the regular season with a three-game series in Seattle. If the home run race is still undecided by then, fans could be treated to a winner-take-all slugfest between Ohtani and Raleigh in the final days of 2025. Talk about must-see TV!
For now, though, all eyes are on the health and resilience of Ohtani. His outing in Denver may have been one to forget on the mound, but his bat—and his grit—remain as dangerous as ever. With the Dodgers eyeing a deep playoff run and Ohtani chasing history in the home run race, the next few weeks promise to be packed with tension, excitement, and maybe a few more surprises along the way.
As the MLB regular season barrels toward its dramatic finish, fans and analysts alike will be glued to every at-bat, every swing, and every home run. Will Raleigh hold on? Will Schwarber’s power surge continue? Or will Ohtani, the game’s most electrifying talent, rise to the occasion and capture the crown? The answer is still up in the air, but one thing’s for sure—baseball’s stretch run has rarely looked this thrilling.
