The argument for the second half of the 2024 season was whether Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor deserved the MVP honors over the Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani.
While fans can debate it, and the writers will select soon, there's no denying that both players were instrumental in their team's success this season. On Tuesday afternoon, Ohtani was asked about his impressions of Lindor and the Japanese mega star recognized the shortstop's importance to the team.
"My impression of him is that he's a really good guy. He smiles a lot," Ohtani said through an interpreter. "I feel like he's leading the club, as well. Both of us are in this position where what we did in the regular season is over and what matters is how we produce in the postseason. We're, perhaps, connected in the same sense."
During the regular season, Lindor slashed .273/.344/.844 with 33 home runs and 91 RBI while playing Gold Glove-caliber defense. Ohtani slashed .310/.390/1.036 with 54 home runs and 130 RBI. He was also the first player ever to reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season. However, he was just the Dodgers' designated hitter after elbow surgery took pitching from him this season.
Regular season stats aside, Ohtani is right that both he and Lindor are going to be looked upon in this postseason for their teams to make it to the World Series. Especially hitting in their respective leadoff spots.
So far, Ohtani is 6-for-27 (.222) with one home run and five RBI in seven games in October.
Lindor is 8-for-34 (.235) with two home runs and seven RBI in his nine games in the playoffs.
But Ohtani has started to struggle at the plate as of late. Over his last three games (two against the Mets) he's 2-for-11 with five strikeouts. Game 2's starter Sean Manaea completely overmatched the lefty, striking him out twice on eight pitches.
"This is my first experience in the postseason so I can't rely on my experiences," Ohtani said about his recent struggles and potentially putting pressure on himself. "What I do know, we've been playing against good teams, better teams with their best pitchers. To get base hits, put up results, isn't as easy as it could be.
"With that being said, my focus is whatever happened in the previous game and that's it. I'm focused on the next game and perhaps I'll look back once this is all over."
Game 3 between the Mets and Dodgers will be Wednesday at Citi Field.