When Shohei Ohtani, two‑way star of the Los Angeles Dodgers, took the mound at Dodger Stadium on Friday, October 17, 2025, he rewrote the postseason record books. In Game 4 of the 2025 National League Championship SeriesDodger Stadium, the Japanese‑born phenom delivered a performance that analysts are already dubbing “once‑in‑a‑generation.”
- 10 strikeouts in 6.1 scoreless innings
- Three home runs (a 446‑foot blast, plus two more) in the same game
- Only two hits allowed while hitting more homers than the opposition recorded
- First pitcher ever to hit three homers in a postseason contest
- Earned unanimous NLCS MVP honors
The opposition, the Milwaukee Brewers, entered the game riding a 98‑64 regular‑season record that had clinched the NL Central crown, but they soon found themselves staring at a 4‑0 deficit that would become a sweep.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had hinted before the start that Ohtani’s night “could be the defining moment of this series.”
Brewers starter José Daniel Quintana, 35, walked the leadoff batter before surrendering Ohtani’s first homer – a 446‑foot cannon that sailed over the right‑field pavilion.
In the fourth inning, Ohtani turned his attention to reliever Chad Patrick, 28, dispatching a 102‑mph fastball for a towering two‑run shot that left the crowd buzzing.
The seventh inning saw Ohtani face Trevor Megill, extracting yet another home run and sealing a night that would become legend.
A Night for the History Books
Before Ohtani’s outburst, the most dominant single‑game postseason effort belonged to a handful of legends – a 12‑strikeout gem by Sandy Koufax in 1963 and a 10‑run outburst by Reggie Jackson in 1977. Ohtani’s blend of 10 strikeouts and three long balls eclipses both, creating a statistical line that has no precedent in MLB postseason annals.
He became the first pitcher in major‑league history to finish a postseason game with more home runs than hits allowed. The only other player to ever hit three homers in a postseason game was New York’s Babe Ruth in 1926, but Ruth never pitched in the same contest.
How Ohtani Dominated Both Mound and Plate
On the mound, Ohtani mixed a 100‑plus‑mph fastball with a razor‑sharp slider that baffled the Brewers’ lineup. He logged 6.1 innings, yielded just two singles, and struck out the side in the first inning – a feat made possible by two strikeouts that clocked at 101.3 mph and 102.1 mph, respectively. The velocity spike was a surprise, given that his fastball averages 97 mph during the regular season.
On the offensive side, his swing showed the same fluidity that made him a two‑way marvel in Japan. The first homer traveled 446 feet, landing beyond the right‑field pavilion’s iconic “rainbow wall.” The second blast, off Patrick, cleared the fence by a further 12 feet, while the third, versus Megill, barely cleared the fence but left the stadium’s digital screen flashing “OHTANI! 3 HR!”
He finished the game 4‑for‑4 with three runs batted in, turning a game that could have been a pitching duel into an offensive showcase.
Reactions from the Dugout and the Bench
“I think this is his opportunity to make his mark on this series. And so, we’re going to see his best effort,” Roberts said before the night began. After the final out, he added, “He just rewrote everything we thought was possible. It’s a gift to our fans and a nightmare for the Brewers.”
Quintana, visibly frustrated, told reporters, “That’s not the way I wanted to end our season. What Ohtani showed us tonight was amazing. A lot of credit to him. That guy is unreal. It’s tough because we believed a lot in this team and to get swept… it hurts.”
Patrick, the 28‑year‑old reliever who fell victim to the second homer, smiled and said, “Every baseball player’s dream is to be a hitter and a pitcher, to do multiple things on a baseball field. Kudos to him – he’s the best player in the world.”
Even Megill, who gave up the third, admitted, “You don’t plan for that. You just watch in awe. He’s a once‑in‑a‑lifetime talent.”
What This Means for the Dodgers and the Rest of MLB
The sweep puts the Dodgers in the driver’s seat for what could be the first back‑to‑back World Series championships since the New York Yankees’ three‑peat from 1998‑2000. The team now boasts a roster that blends veteran firepower – Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman – with Ohtani’s unparalleled two‑way skill set.
For the league at large, Ohtani’s night reignites the debate over two‑way players. Since his arrival in 2018, the MLB has seen a handful of pitchers try their hand at the plate, but none have sustained success on both sides. Ohtani’s dominance may push teams to invest more resources in developing such talent, echoing the way the NBA’s “positionless” movement reshaped drafting strategies.
Meanwhile, the Brewers’ 43‑year World Series drought stretches further. Their 2025 campaign, highlighted by a league‑best 98 wins, will be remembered for the abrupt ending rather than the regular‑season heroics.
Looking Ahead to the World Series
The 2025 World Series is set to tip‑off on Saturday, October 25, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, pitting the Dodgers against the winner of the ALCS between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. If the Yankees emerge, it will be a repeat of the classic East Coast showdown; a Red Sox victory would set up a fresh rivalry.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw hinted that the staff will lean on experience, while Ohtani remains the centerpiece. “He can win games with a fastball or a bat,” Kershaw said. “That’s why we’re confident.”
Analysts project a high‑scoring series, given both clubs’ offensive depth. The only certainty? Ohtani’s name will be on every broadcast’s ticker.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ohtani’s performance affect the Dodgers’ chances in the World Series?
The Dodgers now have a proven game‑changer who can dominate both on the mound and at the plate. If Ohtani repeats a fraction of his NLCS output, the odds shift dramatically in Los Angeles’ favor, especially against teams that rely on a single‑run offense.
Has any player ever excelled as a pitcher and hitter in a postseason game before?
Only Babe Ruth hit three homers in a playoff game (1926), but he never pitched. Ohtani is the first to combine a multi‑home‑run night with a dominant pitching line, creating an entirely new statistical category.
What does the sweep mean for the Milwaukee Brewers’ franchise?
The loss extends Milwaukee’s World Series drought to 43 years. While the 98‑64 record shows the club is competitive, the sweep underscores a need to reinforce the lineup and perhaps reconsider roster construction for deep‑postseason runs.
When and where will the 2025 World Series be played?
Game 1 kicks off on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. The series will follow a 2‑3‑2 home‑team format, with the potential for a decisive Game 7 back at the stadium if needed.
What do experts say about Ohtani’s future as a two‑way player?
Baseball analysts, including ESPN’s John Lowe, argue that Ohtani’s durability will dictate his longevity. The consensus is that if he can manage his workload, he could redefine roster construction for a decade or more.