Ohtani’s historic two-way show powers Dodgers to NLCS sweep
When Shohei Ohtani stepped up at Dodger Stadium on Friday, October 18, 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a 5‑1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the 2025 National League Championship SeriesDodger Stadium. The three‑time MVP not only threw six scoreless innings with ten strikeouts, he also launched three solo home runs – a leadoff shot, a 469‑foot monster, and a seventh‑inning blast – carving his name into playoff lore. Historic two-way performance aside, the win completes a four‑game sweep and sends the Dodgers to the World Series for the second straight year.
Ohtani’s two‑way fireworks
The opening at‑bat set the tone: Ohtani, listed as the pitcher, smacked a leadoff home run off Brewers starter José Quintana, becoming the first pitcher ever to start a postseason game with a homer. He followed that with a 469‑foot blast in the fourth inning that ripped through the left‑field pavilion and landed in the upper deck, then capped the night with a third solo surge in the seventh. The trio of long balls traveled a combined 1,342 feet, joining an exclusive club of twelve players who have ever hit three homers in a playoff contest.
On the mound, Ohtani was equally relentless. He surrendered just two hits over six innings, struck out ten batters and kept the Brewers off the scoreboard until the final out. It marked his first double‑digit strikeout effort since signing a ten‑year, $700 million deal in December 2023, and it underscored why Dave Roberts, the Dodgers’ 52‑year‑old manager, has been preaching about "letting Shohei focus on hitting early, then unleashing him when it matters most."
Pitching strategy and earlier games
The Dodgers didn’t roll the dice on Ohtani at the start of the series. Instead, Blake Snell, the 32‑year‑old ace, opened Game 1 on October 14 at American Family Field in Milwaukee. Snell delivered eight strong innings, yielding just one run on five hits while fanning nine batters. Complementary offense – a third‑inning solo shot by Freddie Freeman and a bases‑loaded walk drawn by Mookie Betts – gave the Dodgers a 2‑1 edge that set the tone for the series.
Roberts explained his rotation plan on the sidelines: "We knew Blake was building up to this moment. His command was exceptional tonight. And with Shohei, we wanted to let him focus on hitting early in the series and then unleash him when it mattered most." The calculated gamble paid off in spades as Ohtani’s dual dominance in Game 4 turned the series into a quick dash to the World Series.
Brewers’ season and reaction
The Brewers entered the NLCS riding a historic 97‑win regular season – the best record in MLB – and a third straight National League Central crown under manager Pat Murphy, 66. Their March start was a dismal 0‑4, but a mid‑season surge and clutch performances from ace Freddy Peralta (28) and veteran outfielder Christian Yelich (33) kept hopes alive.
After the sweep, Peralta reflected, "Nobody believed in us from Day 1 of Spring Training because we didn’t have the big names. We ended up with the best record in the majors. It taught me that you don’t need superstar names to win." Yelich added, "We aren’t that far. Not as far as it seems. I still believe one day that’s going to be us out there. A lot of these guys believe it, too." Murphy, while conceding defeat, praised Ohtani’s rarity: "You prepare for him as best you can, but when he’s locked in on both sides of the ball, it’s almost impossible to stop. He’s a once‑in‑a‑generation talent."
Implications for the World Series
With the NL crown secured, the Dodgers now await either the New York Yankees or the Cleveland Guardians in the 2025 World Series, slated to tip‑off on Saturday, October 25 at 8:08 PM Eastern. The Dodgers’ line‑up – anchored by the Ohtani dual threat, Betts, Freeman and a solid bullpen featuring closer Evan Phillips (30) and setup man Daniel Hudson (38) – looks balanced enough to chase a historic repeat. No team has won back‑to‑back World Series titles since the 1998‑2000 New York Yankees, so the odds are tantalizingly close.
Analysts note that Ohtani’s performance could shift how clubs value two‑way players. If he repeats such feats in the Fall Classic, the league may see a new wave of pitchers trained to swing for the fences, echoing the rare success stories of Babe Ruth and, more recently, the Texas Rangers’ hitting‑pitching experiments.
Background: Ohtani’s two‑way legacy
Before his 2025 dominance, Ohtani already shattered expectations by winning MVP awards in both the American League (2021) and National League (2023). His 2023 season with the Dodgers saw a 45‑home‑run tally while posting a 2.97 ERA. Yet, postseason pressure historically muted his output – a .182 batting average and a single RBI before Game 4. The Los Angeles crowd witnessed the culmination of a decade‑long experiment: a Japanese phenom who refuses to be pigeonholed.
His contract, inked in December 2023 for ten years and $700 million, set a new benchmark for player value. The deal, paired with the Dodgers’ willingness to allocate innings on the mound, highlights a front office that sees Ohtani not just as a star, but as a franchise‑shaping asset.
Key Facts
- Ohtani’s three homers traveled 1,342 feet, the longest combined distance in a postseason game.
- He recorded ten strikeouts in six innings, his first double‑digit strikeout game in a Dodgers uniform.
- The Dodgers completed a 4‑0 sweep, the first NLCS sweep since 2016.
- Milwaukee finished the regular season with a league‑best 97‑wins.
- World Series tip‑off: October 25, 2025, 8:08 PM ET.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ohtani’s performance affect the Dodgers’ chances in the World Series?
Ohtani’s ability to dominate both on the mound and at the plate gives Los Angeles a true 2‑way ace, a rarity that forces opponents to plan for two threats simultaneously. If he repeats even a fraction of his Game 4 output, the Dodgers gain a decisive edge, especially against a team without a comparable dual‑role pitcher.
What’s the significance of Ohtani’s leadoff homer as a pitcher?
It’s the first time a pitcher has opened a postseason game with a home run, rewriting the record book and underscoring how the traditional pitcher‑only role is eroding. The moment also set an early tone that the Brewers never recovered from.
How did the Brewers’ season lead up to this NLCS loss?
Milwaukee surged from a 0‑4 start to finish with a league‑best 97‑win record, clinching their third straight NL Central title. Yet, their roster lacked a marquee hitter like Ohtani, and their reliance on a four‑man rotation left them vulnerable to a two‑way storm in Game 4.
Who are the likely opponents for the Dodgers in the World Series?
The American League Championship Series pits the New York Yankees against the Cleveland Guardians. Both clubs have strong line‑ups, but the Yankees carry a deeper bullpen, while the Guardians rely on a balanced rotation. Either way, the Dodgers will meet a team with a contrasting style to Ohtani’s dual threat.
What does this game mean for the future of two‑way players in MLB?
Ohtani’s Game 4 may become the benchmark for future two‑way prospects. Teams are likely to invest more in developing pitchers who can also hit, knowing that a single player can shift an entire postseason series.
