When is Shohei Ohtani playing next? All you need to know about the DH’s crucial role in Dodgers vs Padres series

Los Angeles Dodgers' National League MVP contender Shohei Ohtani has been hot at the plate all season but the Japanese phenom has seemingly found another gear over the last week.

Ohtani has contributed with five home runs in his last four games and played a crucial role in the Dodgers' come from behind win over the Colorado Rockies in the series finale on Sunday.

With the two-time MVP in red-hot form, Dodgers' fans will be wondering when he will play for the team next. Since the Dodgers are yet to secure the division, Ohtani is unlikely to get any rest ahead of the postseason.

Ohtani is almost a guarantee to feature in the lineup for the NL West leader's series opener against division rivals the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday.

The three-game series is likely to decide the division winner as the Padres (90 - 66) trail the Dodgers by three games in second place.

Shohei Ohtani edges closer to another elusive record in Dodgers' win over Rockies

Shohei Ohtani came in clutch for the Dodgers in the series finale against the Rockies, smashing a game-tying home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to make it 5-5.

Former MVP and fellow Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts followed up with a walk-off home run to secure a narrow 6-5 win for the team.

While Ohtani struck a crucial home run late in the game, the Japanese star edged closer to another milestone with his 55th stolen base of the season earlier in the game. He now trails Seattle Mariners' legend Ichiro Suzuki (56) for the most stolen bases in a season by a Japanese-born player.

With the kind of form Shohei Ohtani has shown over the last week, he is likely to get past the former MVP's record during the series against the Padres. The 30-year-old is also chasing Yankees' captain Aaron Judge in the race for most home runs this season.

While Judge struck his 55th home run of the season against the Oakland Athletics on Sunday, Ohtani responded with his 53rd homer against the Rockies. At current form, one wouldn't bet against the Japanese catching up or even overtaking the Yankees' MVP contender's tally.