What happened

Shohei Ohtani turned in a complete two-way performance on Wednesday, reaching base in all four of his plate appearances while allowing just one baserunner across five scoreless innings on the mound against Arizona. The Dodgers led the Diamondbacks 5-0 through six innings behind his work in both roles.

It was the kind of night that only one player in the sport can produce: setting the table at the top of the order and shutting down the opposing lineup from the rubber in the same game.

Why it matters

The outing underscores why Ohtani sits at the center of the National League MVP conversation. He contributed as both a top-of-the-order bat and a front-line starter on the same night, a combination no other candidate can match.

It also adds to a season in which the NL's top arms have posted historically dominant numbers, with Ohtani's sub-1.00 ERA leading the way.

By the numbers

On the night, Ohtani went 4-for-4 reaching base in four plate appearances and allowed one baserunner across five scoreless innings. His season line stood at a .300 average with a .940 OPS at the plate, paired with a 0.75 ERA on the mound.

The Dodgers held a 5-0 lead through six innings, with Ohtani's dual production driving the shutout bid.

What to watch next

The questions now are whether Ohtani completes the start and how the Dodgers close out the shutout. His ability to produce at an elite level in both roles keeps him at the front of the NL MVP race as the season progresses.