Another Sho-stealing performance has Dodgers on cusp of division title

LOS ANGELES -- Since coming over to the Majors in 2018, Shohei Ohtani has consistently made it clear that he wants to experience the thrill of the postseason and, ultimately, win a World Series title.

In about a week, Ohtani will finally get that chance. He knows all eyes will be on him. But before that all unfolds, Ohtani has gotten to experience a playoff-like atmosphere in the pivotal three-game series against the Padres.

Ohtani has more than responded to the challenge. The two-way Japanese superstar delivered two clutch hits -- and stole his 56th base -- to carry the Dodgers to a 4-3 win over the Padres on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium, putting L.A. at the doorstep of winning its 11th National League West title in 12 seasons.

The Dodgers can clinch the division crown with a win in Thursday's series finale. With the Brewers' loss on Wednesday, the Dodgers have secured a top-two seed and a first-round bye, should they win the NL West.

Coming off a tough loss on Tuesday and the division hanging in the balance, the Dodgers came into Wednesday’s contest looking to respond. Before the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he fully expected Padres right-hander Dylan Cease to come out of his start knowing L.A. put up a fight.

The Dodgers did just that, led by their strongest fighter.

With the game tied at 2 in the fourth, Ohtani jumped on a Cease slider and bounced it off the right-field wall at a Statcast-projected 116.8 mph. That allowed Gavin Lux, who hit a game-tying single earlier in the frame, to come around to score the game-tying run. As Ohtani got to second base, he looked into the home dugout and let out a big “Let’s go!”

He wasn’t done quite yet. After the Padres tied it in the sixth on a Fernando Tatis Jr. homer, the Dodgers needed to respond once again. And once again, it was Ohtani who delivered the big hit, a two-out go-ahead RBI single off left-hander Adrian Morejon to give the Dodgers a lead they wouldn’t give up.