Shohei Ohtani Emerges as Clear Frontrunner for NL MVP

At the 2026 midseason mark, Shohei Ohtani has established himself as the definitive favorite for the National League MVP award. While other award categories remain competitive, Ohtani's performance has made him an easy choice for experts. Additionally, the Dodgers are managing his workload during a stretch of 13 games in 13 days, with manager Dave Roberts opting to skip his upcoming pitching start against the Athletics to ensure he receives extra rest.