Shohei Ohtani is doing things we've never seen before. And yet somehow, it's not enough.
The Dodgers superstar pitched 7 innings of brilliant baseball against the Houston Astros, allowing just 4 hits and 2 runs while striking out 8. His ERA now sits at 0.97 - the best in baseball. His WHIP is 0.81 - also the best in baseball.
And his record? 2-2.
How is that possible? Because the Dodgers have lost 11 of his last 14 starts as a pitcher. Eleven. Of. Fourteen.
This is Felix Hernandez territory, folks. King Felix in Seattle, putting up Cy Young numbers while his team couldn't score runs. It's heartbreaking to watch greatness wasted.
Ohtani threw 89 pitches - 62 for strikes - in Houston, according to Codify Baseball. He was in complete control. He gave his team every chance to win. And once again, they let him down.
The modern baseball paradox is on full display here. Individual excellence has never been more measurable, more quantifiable, more celebrated. But baseball is still a team game. One man can't win it alone, no matter how otherworldly his talent.
Ohtani is the game's biggest star. He's doing things on the mound that nobody has done since the dead-ball era while also being one of baseball's most dangerous hitters. And yet, when he toes the rubber as a pitcher, the Dodgers offense goes silent.
It's maddening. It's frustrating. And it's a reminder that sports isn't always fair. The best player doesn't always win. The most dominant performance doesn't always lead to victory.
Somewhere, Felix Hernandez is watching and nodding knowingly. He understands this pain all too well.
