On Thursday, Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly predicted Ohtani would do exactly that. "Pete Crow-Armstrong, James Wood, Kyle Tucker, and Pete Alonso are among the other players who would factor into the NL MVP race if it took place today, but Ohtani would probably win it," Kelly wrote.

The Dodgers and Astros play a three-game series on a holiday weekend. Los Angeles crowds are not fond of Jose Altuve and his Houston crew.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will have three fan-elected starters in the All-Star Game, with first baseman Freddie Freeman and catcher Will Smith joining designated hitter Shohei Ohtani as winners in final ballot totals.