Angels' Maddon says Ohtani is leading AL MVP race: 'It's not even close'

Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon doesn't think there is any question Shohei Ohtani should win the American League MVP this campaign.

"To me, it's not even close," the skipper said, according to ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. "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 pitched seven brilliant innings against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, striking out five while allowing one earned run en route to a 6-2 Angels win.

The 27-year-old also contributed with his bat and legs, driving in the contest's first run, swiping a bag, and scoring in the first inning before bewildering the Rockies lineup with his pitching repertoire.

The two-way star is among the AL's top candidates for the award along with Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but Ohtani also plays for an Angels club sitting 10 games out of first place in the American League West.

"I'm really happy to hear the MVP talks around me," Ohtani said. "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."

Ohtani's hitting .277/.361/.679 at the plate and leads the league with 35 home runs. As a pitcher, the Japanese sensation is 5-1 with a 3.04 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 80 innings.