Shohei Ohtani delivered another performance that reinforced why his name is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore in the National League Cy Young conversation.
The Los Angeles Dodgers continued separating themselves in the National League West on Wednesday with a 7-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Ohtani once again played the central role.
Los Angeles generated offense early, played clean defensively, and never allowed Arizona to establish momentum. Ohtani ensured there was little room for anything to change once the game settled in.
On the mound, Ohtani turned in six scoreless innings while allowing only two hits, walking one batter, and striking out six. At the plate, he finished 3-for-4 with two walks and one run scored, continuing to impact the game in multiple ways.
Through 10 starts, Ohtani lowered his ERA to 0.74.
He has not allowed more than two runs in any appearance this season, and Wednesday marked his fifth scoreless outing of the year. Meanwhile, his offensive production continues trending upward, pushing his batting average back above .300 for the first time since Opening Day.
After the game, Ohtani told reporters through an interpreter, according to The Athletic, that he feels encouraged by where his game currently stands while noting that his execution showed improvement compared to his previous outing.
That progress was visible throughout Wednesday’s performance.
Recent appearances included stretches where command became inconsistent, but against Arizona, Ohtani looked efficient and controlled from the beginning. He retired the first 11 hitters he faced and prevented the Diamondbacks from creating sustained offensive pressure.
By the time Los Angeles expanded the lead, Arizona had already lost control of the game.
Afterward, catcher Will Smith described Ohtani to reporters as the best player he has ever watched.
Manager Dave Roberts added another layer to that conversation, explaining that Ohtani approaches each start with the mentality of trying to complete a shutout rather than simply pitching effectively.
That mindset helps explain why his outings often feel different from a traditional ace performance.
The expectation is not merely limiting damage or keeping the team in position to win. The expectation appears to be total control.
When Ohtani performs at this level as both a pitcher and hitter, the Dodgers gain an advantage few teams across baseball can realistically replicate.
Wednesday served as another example.
The offense created separation early.
The pitching removed any path back into the game.
And once Ohtani settled in, Arizona never seriously threatened.
If this level continues, the Cy Young conversation may eventually shift from possibility to expectation.
