The only thing standing between Shohei Ohtani and 300 career home runs is one more swing. And after Monday night, it feels closer than ever.
Ohtani went deep in the third inning against Colorado starter Kyle Freeland, hooking a two-run shot the other way that turned a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 Dodgers lead. The ball left the park at Dodger Stadium, and with it, Ohtani’s career homer total landed at 299.
The milestone chase is now in full focus. Every plate appearance from here will feel like a countdown. Ohtani has long been known for that rare two-way thing — elite pitching and elite hitting at the same time — but this chase is a reminder he’s also one of the scariest power hitters in the sport. Plain and simple.
It wasn’t a cheap one
The homer wasn’t some pull-side luck. Ohtani drove the ball the opposite way, showing that all-fields strength that makes him almost impossible to defend. The Dodgers needed an answer after Colorado grabbed the lead in the top half, and Ohtani delivered with one swing. (That’s kind of what he does.)
Dodger Insider posted on X: “Career home run No. 299 — Shohei Ohtani’s two-run blast gives the Dodgers a 2-1 lead here in the third.”
MLB also shared the clip, writing: “Shohei Ohtani powers one out the other way.” The video showed him staying through the pitch and driving it deep. No cheap pull job. Just brute strength with control.
What comes next
Ohtani now sits at 299 homers. That’s one away from 300. He’s on a team that’s rolling, and the crowd at Dodger Stadium knows it. Every at-bat now has a little extra weight. You can feel it.
The Dodgers were up 6-2 heading into the sixth. The milestone story is still the main thing here though. Ohtani’s next home run will be his 300th. And given the way he hit this one — driving a pitch the opposite way with two on — it’s not a matter of if, but when.
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