When Shohei Ohtani, pitcher and designated hitter of Los Angeles Dodgers launched three homers and struck out ten in a six‑plus‑inning shutout on October 17, 2025, the National League Championship Series (NLCS) turned into a one‑man showcase.
The game unfolded at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, as part of NLCS Game 4Dodger Stadium. Ohtani’s performance not only sealed a 4‑0 series sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers but also rewrote the postseason record books.
Historical Context: A Franchise Returning to Glory
The Dodgers entered the 2025 postseason riding a wave of dominance that began with a 108‑win regular season. Their last World Series title came in 2020, and they have been eager to add another trophy before the roster ages out. The Brewers, meanwhile, were chasing a return to the Fall Classic after a 43‑year drought that stretches back to their 1982 effort as the "Harvey’s Wallbangers." Managed by Pat Murphy, Milwaukee finished the regular season with a 94‑68 record and upset the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS to earn their NLCS berth.
For Ohtani, this series was a chance to cement his reputation as the sport’s most versatile star. The Japanese phenom first arrived in MLB in 2018, and his dual‑role prowess has already produced a 2021 MVP, a 2022 World Series ring, and a string of 30‑home‑run seasons.
Game‑by‑Game Breakdown: How Ohtani Did the Impossible
The first inning set the tone. After warming up with a 19‑pitch top of the first that yielded three strikeouts and a walk, Ohtani stepped up to the plate and ripped a 446‑foot leadoff blast off Brewers starter Jose Quintana. The ball cleared the left‑field wall by a good margin, echoing a similar homer Ohtani had hit exactly one year earlier against the same pitcher.
He followed with a second‑inning strikeout and a clean third, and the Dodgers’ defense kept the Brewers silent. By the bottom of the fourth, Ohtani was still on the mound, having tossed a flawless 14‑pitch frame. He then turned his bat on a relief arm, sending a second, even longer, home run to the center‑field bleachers off Chad Patrick. The crowd’s roar was deafening.
The third and final homer came in the seventh inning, a high‑fastball line drive that Trevor Megill couldn’t locate, sending the ball over the right‑field fence. At that point, Ohtani had allowed only two hits, walked one batter, and struck out ten.
On the mound, his pitch count was meticulously efficient: 19 in the first, 14 in the second, 15 in the third, 13 in the fourth, 15 in the fifth, 14 in the sixth, and 12 in the seventh, totaling 102 pitches. He retired the side in order in the fifth and sixteenth—er, sixth—innings, keeping the Brewers off the scoreboard until they finally managed a solitary run in Game 1.
Reactions from the Bench and the Broadcast Booth
After the final out, Quintana muttered, "That's not the way I wanted to end our season," before adding, "What Ohtani showed us tonight was amazing. A lot of credit to him. That guy is unreal. It was crazy. Amazing player." Brewers reliever Patrick, looking both humbled and amazed, said, "That's every baseball player's dream—being a hitter and a pitcher. Kudos to him, he's the best player in the world." On the Dodgers’ side, manager Dave Roberts cheered, "We knew Sho could do something special, but this? It’s baseball history. He gave the kids in Japan and here a reason to believe anything is possible."
Impact Assessment: What This Means for the Dodgers and the League
The sweep sends Los Angeles to the 2025 World Series, where they will meet the American League champion (to be announced on October 25). The win also solidifies Ohtani’s case for a third MVP trophy; analysts point to his combined 3‑home‑run, 10‑strikeout, 2‑hit line as a performance that may never be duplicated.
For the Brewers, the loss extends a painful drought and raises questions about roster construction. Their front office, led by President Matt Arnold, will likely look to add more power to the lineup, as their offense managed just eight runs across the entire series.
On a broader scale, Ohtani’s feat could spark renewed debate about the future of two‑way players. While Mahendra Singh Dhoni‑style dual roles have been explored in cricket, Ohtani proves that a true two‑way superstar can thrive at the highest level of baseball.
What’s Next: World Series Preview and Off‑Season Outlook
The Dodgers will enjoy a short rest before the World Series, giving their bullpen a chance to recover after using three fresh arms in Game 4. Their ace, Walker Buehler, is slated to start Game 1, while Ohtani will likely be the designated hitter, preserving his arm for a potential Game 5.
Meanwhile, the Brewers will regroup in Milwaukee, where fans anticipate a "re‑build for 2026" rally. Pat Murphy hinted at a possible trade for a high‑impact power hitter before the offseason deadline on November 1.
Background Deep Dive: Ohtani’s Journey to Two‑Way Greatness
Born in Oshu, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, on November 5, 1994, Ohtani starred for the Hokkaido Nippon‑Ham Fighters before signing with the Angels in 2017. He made his MLB debut on March 29, 2018, and quickly became the first player since Babe Ruth to excel both on the mound and at the plate.
His 2021 American League MVP season featured a 9‑2 record, 2.84 ERA, and 46 home runs. In 2022, after a trade to the Dodgers, he helped the team capture the World Series, hitting a clutch three‑run homer in Game 5.
Statistically, Ohtani’s career OPS (1.035) and career K/9 (9.5) place him among the elite, but his 2025 NLCS performance is arguably his career pinnacle, blending power, poise, and pitching dominance in a single night.
- Three home runs – first pitcher ever to achieve this in a postseason game.
- Ten strikeouts over 6.2 innings – a career‑best postseason outing.
- Only two hits allowed while pitching.
- 102 total pitches, an efficient workload for a dual‑role effort.
- Dodgers clinch NL pennant with a 4‑0 series sweep.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Ohtani’s performance affect the Dodgers’ chances in the World Series?
The sweep gave Los Angeles a full week to rest their starters and fine‑tune the lineup. With Ohtani’s dual threat still fresh, the Dodgers enter the World Series with a psychological edge and a deeper bench, boosting their odds of repeating as champions.
What records did Ohtani break with his three‑homer night?
He became the first pitcher in MLB history to hit three home runs in a single postseason game, and the first player ever to out‑hit his own hit total in the same contest (three homers vs. two hits allowed). He also set the NLCS record for most total bases (12) by a pitcher.
Why does this game matter for two‑way players in baseball?
Ohtani’s night proves that a two‑way star can excel under postseason pressure, something scouts have long doubted. Teams may now be more willing to develop or acquire players who can pitch and hit, potentially reshaping roster construction across the league.
What steps are the Brewers likely to take after the sweep?
General manager Matt Arnold has hinted at pursuing a power‑hitting outfielder before the November trade deadline, and the team is expected to explore upgrades to its bullpen to avoid late‑inning collapses in future playoffs.
When does the 2025 World Series begin, and who will the Dodgers face?
The World Series kicks off on October 25, 2025. The Dodgers will meet the American League champion, the team that wins the ALCS later this week, in a best‑of‑seven showdown.