Shohei Ohtani's quest to become the most decorated player in baseball history could take its next monumental step this season. The four-time unanimous MVP, already considered by many the greatest to ever play, now has the National League Cy Young Award firmly in his sights. That pursuit continues this Wednesday afternoon in Toronto, as Ohtani takes the mound for the Dodgers in a high-profile World Series rematch against the Blue Jays.

His manager, Dave Roberts, has already fueled the speculation, stating Ohtani's Cy Young desire is "high" and "realistic" if he stays healthy. The early returns are promising: in his 2026 debut, Ohtani was utterly dominant, firing six shutout innings with just one hit allowed and six strikeouts against Cleveland. That performance has already shifted the odds, moving him from a longshot to a serious contender in the Cy Young race.

However, the path to pitching's highest honor is fraught with unique challenges for a two-way superstar. The primary question isn't about talent, but workload. Can Ohtani maintain Cy Young-caliber pitching while also serving as an everyday, MVP-level hitter? History suggests it's a tall order. During his peak two-way years with the Angels, he rarely pitched on traditional four days' rest, often benefiting from extra recovery time—a luxury the Dodgers are already employing, as he'll start Wednesday on seven days' rest.

This delicate balance between offensive and defensive excellence is what makes Ohtani's season so fascinating. Every start is a must-watch event, not just for the potential outcome, but for the sheer athletic spectacle. As he prepares to face a potent Blue Jays lineup, the baseball world will be watching to see if the greatest player of his generation can add the one major award that has eluded him so far.