Angels manager Joe Maddon on Shohei Ohtani's MVP season: 'It's not even close'

In Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon's mind, it's a no-brainer that Shohei Ohtani is the American League's MVP award.

"To me, it's not even close," Maddon told reporters after a 6-2 win over the Colorado Rockies. "When people talk about it being close – it's not. It's not. What he's doing is so unique. It's just so different compared to anybody else right now."

Ohtani recorded his 100th strikeout of 2021 in the win over the Rockies. That and a 3.04 ERA go in conjunction with a season in which he's blasted an MLB-leading 35 home runs. All before the end of July, with two months remaining in the regular season.

No pitcher in majors history who has recorded triple-digit strikeouts has added more than nine home runs in the same season.

On Monday, Ohtani pitched seven strong innings and hit an early RBI single.

"I'm really happy to hear the MVP talks around me," Ohtani told reporters through his interpreter, "but right now I haven't been able to finish both as a hitter and a pitcher in the same season, so that's my main focus – staying healthy, finishing the season strong. If the award comes with it at the end, then I think that's the best-case scenario."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Maddon on Shohei Ohtani's MVP season: 'It's not even close'