Oddsmakers expect Shohei Ohtani to become first 50-50 club member

Oddsmakers are expecting Shohei Ohtani to become the first 50-50 player in MLB history. With a couple of weeks to go in the 2024 season, Ohtani is -350 at FanDuel Sportsbook to reach 50 home runs and 50 steals, something no player has done in a single season. Heading into Wednesday’s play, Ohtani is sitting at 48 homers and 48 swipes, leaving him 11 games to get two more of each to reach the milestone. He has already become just the sixth player to make the 40-40 club, joining Ronald Acuna Jr., who had 40-40 last year, Alfonso Soriano, Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds and Jose Canseco. It wasn’t until recently that Ohtani reaching the 50-50 marks was seen as likely. Through the first three months, Ohtani had just 16 stolen bags, seemingly putting 50 out of the question. He started running much more when the calendar turned to July, stealing 12 that month and 15 more in August. Coming into the year, Ohtani had never stolen more than 26 bases in a season.Reaching 50 homers wasn’t a shoo-in all season, either. He hit 14 bombs in August after hitting just six in July, putting him on pace to pass the threshold. His 48 homers are also already a career-high. Ohtani’s prowess at the plate and on the bases has him in pole position to secure his third career MVP and first as a designated hitter only. The Dodgers star is currently -10000 to win the award at BetMGM Sportsbook. Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (+1100) is the only other player in the National League with odds better than 100/1....