Shohei Ohtani stats vs Chicago Cubs tonight: Looking at the DH’s performance for September 11

Shohei Ohtani started the game with a bang yet again as he inches a home run and a stolen base closer to the MLB's first 50-50 season. On Wednesday, matched up against the Chicago Cubs' starter Jordan Wicks, Ohtani launched one into the stands for a solo 405-foot home run, his 47th of the season, to center field in response to the Cubs' two-run first inning.

After Ohtani's solo blast, the Dodgers added four more runs to take a 5-2 lead in the game. In Ohtani's second plate appearance to start the second inning, Wicks understandably walked the Dodgers star. With Freddie Freeman at the plate, the two-way star stole second base off Wicks. This was Ohtani's 48th stolen base of the season.

His third plate appearance saw him hit a single to drive in Miguel Rojas and Max Muncy in the third inning as he ballooned the Dodgers lead to 7-3. For his fourth and fifth plate appearances, he flied out off Keegan Thompson and Shawn Armstrong respectively.

Overall, Ohtani went 2-4, including one home run, one stolen base, three RBIs and a walk as the Dodgers won, 10-8.

Dave Roberts spoke highly of Shohei Ohtani's unprecedented season

Shohei Ohtani entered Wednesday's game with 17 games remaining to achieve the first 50-50 season in MLB history. After the game, he finds himself just two stolen bases and three HRs short of reaching the feat.

It was the 12th game this season where Ohtani managed to score a home run and a stolen base in the same game. This has him tied with 2023 Ronald Acuna Jr. and 1973 Barry Bonds for second-most in a single season. He only trails 1986 Rickey Henderson, who had 13 such games.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was all praise for his star DH amid his historic season.

"Him being able to take down 600 plate appearances has been very big for us,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Wednesday’s game per MLB.com. “And he’s having an unprecedented season.”

Moreover, Shohei Ohtani is leading the race for the NL MVP this season. If he wins, it would be his first, after winning two AL MVPs in his career. He's also likely to have his first postseason experience, as, after Wednesday's 10-8 win, the Dodgers have improved to 87-59, five games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West division.