'No pressure' as he closes in on record breaking 50-50 season - says Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani is on the verge of making Major League Baseball (MLB) history by potentially becoming the first player to achieve 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season.

This milestone drew closer with a powerful home run over the right field wall in Miami on Tuesday.

Currently, the Los Angeles Dodgers star has recorded 48 home runs and 48 stolen bases this season, marking an unprecedented achievement in MLB history, with 11 games left in the schedule of his team, which leads the National League West.

"There is no pressure," the Japanese athlete stated through an interpreter on Tuesday, as reported.

"I am simply focused on maintaining quality at-bats regardless of the circumstances, which has been my goal throughout the season."

Ohtani ended a four-game homerless streak by launching a pitch from Marlins starter Darren McCaughan into the second deck of LoanDepot Park, delivering a two-run homer that contributed to the Dodgers' eventual 11-9 defeat.

With his next home run, Ohtani would tie Shawn Green for the record of most home runs hit by a Dodgers player in a single season; Green achieved 49 home runs in 2001.

The 30-year-old two-time MVP has significantly impacted the Dodgers since his acquisition during the offseason, signing a historic 10-year, $700-million contract.

Although he is not pitching this season due to recovery from offseason elbow surgery, his remarkable performance at the plate positions him as a strong candidate to become the first designated hitter to win the MVP award.

The Dodgers are set to face the Marlins in the second game of their three-game series on Wednesday.

Following this series in Miami, the team will return home to play against the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres before concluding the regular season with a road series against the Rockies.