Los Angeles Dodgers vs Cincinnati Reds was no ordinary midsummer MLB clash—it was a Shohei Ohtani showcase. In the fifth inning, with the game knotted and tension high, Ohtani launched a 110.7 mph two-run double to dead center, clearing the bases and breaking the game wide open. The Dodgers rode that moment to a 5–2 victory, with skipper Dave Roberts calling it “absolutely clutch.”
💥 Ohtani Breaks It Open in the Fifth
The Dodgers entered the fifth with a tie game and runners on the corners. With one mighty swing, Ohtani erased the deadlock and boosted the Dodgers back on track. That hit? Not just a game-changer—it was his 100th run scored of the season, making him the fastest player in 2025 to hit that milestone.
And what a milestone it is. Only Babe Ruth (177 runs in 1921) and Chuck Klein (158 in 1930) have hit such marks. Ohtani, with 100 in 107 games, is now flirting with the unthinkable: breaking a 135-year-old scoring record.
🔥 Dodgers’ Top Trio Delivers Yet Again
The combination of Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani, and Teoscar Hernández delivered a masterclass at the top of the lineup. Collectively, they racked up 5 hits and 4 RBIs.
- Betts: 2 hits, 3 runs
- Ohtani: 1 double, 2 RBIs, 2 walks
- Hernández: a productive sac fly and steady plate appearances
Roberts summed it up perfectly:
“Even their outs produce runs. That’s championship-caliber offense.”
📈 MVP Watch: Ohtani Tops the Charts
With 38 home runs, 100 runs scored, 254 total bases, a .620 slugging percentage, and an OPS of 1.001, Shohei Ohtani leads the National League in five major categories. Not to mention, he’s riding a 9-game hitting streak and just 9 hits away from his 1,000th career MLB knock.
He also topped MLB.com’s latest MVP poll, grabbing 26 of 33 first-place votes. Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs came in a distant second.
💰 $700M? More Like a Bargain
Fangraphs recently ranked Ohtani No.1 in MLB trade value, despite his record-shattering $700 million deal. Why? Because the numbers don’t lie:
- WAR over past 5 years: 30
- WAR forecast 2026–2030: 7.9, 7.4, 6.2, 5.0, 3.5
- Real cost (after deferred payments): ~$46M/year
- Estimated annual brand revenue: $100M+
Put bluntly, Ohtani is basically playing for free when you factor in his global market impact—especially in Japan, the world’s 4th-largest economy.
🎲 188BET Odds: Dodgers in Prime Position
Per 188BET, the Dodgers’ win against the Reds nudged their odds even tighter in the NL race:
- Dodgers to win NL Pennant: 2.90
- Shohei Ohtani to win NL MVP: 1.30 (firm favorite)
- Next Dodgers game (vs Reds): LAD -1.5, O/U 8.5
For bettors, riding the Ohtani wave could be the smartest play of the summer.
❓FAQ: What People Also Ask
The Dodgers defeated the Reds 5–2, with Ohtani’s two-run double in the fifth being the turning point.
He just hit 100 runs in 107 games—fastest in the league this season.
Yes. He currently tops MLB.com’s MVP projection with the majority of first-place votes.
According to Fangraphs, he may be underpaid, given his WAR, global reach, and marketing value.
Per 188BET, they are among the favorites with strong momentum heading into August.
✅ Conclusion
The Los Angeles Dodgers vs Cincinnati Reds game was a statement of dominance—and a reminder that Shohei Ohtani is operating on another level. With historic records in sight, MVP momentum surging, and marketing value through the roof, he’s not just changing games—he’s redefining value in baseball.
Are you watching history unfold? Because the rest of the league sure is.
👉 Stay tuned, bet smart with 188BET, and don’t blink—Ohtani’s not done.
