Red-hot Ohtani leads Dodgers into clash with Rays (ESPN, 10 ET)

Remember when Shohei Ohtani could not shake off a season-opening slump?

That’s certainly not the case anymore. Ohtani is swinging a red-hot bat, and the four-time MVP will look to keep rolling as the Dodgers and Rays begin a three-game series from Dodger Stadium on Monday night. First pitch is set for 10:10 p.m. ET (7:10 p.m. PT), and the game will air exclusively on ESPN.

These two teams enter the start of their three-game series holding two of the five best records in baseball.

Ohtani returned to the L.A. lineup on Saturday following a one-game absence due to left knee inflammation. He did not miss a beat, hammering his 14th home run of the season on the second pitch of the game from White Sox starting pitcher Sean Burke.

Since May 12 -- the day after he caused a stir by taking a rare on-field batting practice session -- Ohtani is hitting .410 with a 1.286 OPS, both tops among qualified hitters (heading into Sunday’s series finale against Chicago). He’s tallied eight home runs and 25 RBIs in that span.

The Rays will look to slow Ohtani down behind the likes of veteran starting pitcher Nick Martinez, who has been splendid through 13 starts since signing a one-year, $13 million contract with Tampa Bay in February. The right-hander is 6-2 with a 2.43 ERA, allowing three runs or fewer in all but one start. Most importantly, the Rays are 10-3 when Martinez takes the mound.

Martinez has also held Ohtani hitless in 10 plate appearances. But Ohtani has enjoyed hitting against the Rays: He has a .364 batting average with a 1.213 OPS and 11 home runs in 32 career games against Tampa Bay.

One of Ohtani's most iconic moments has also come against the Rays: On Aug. 23, 2024, he clubbed a walk-off grand slam to become the sixth member of baseball’s 40-40 club, downing Tampa Bay in thrilling fashion.

We’ll see what sort of performance Ohtani has in store for us on Monday night.