Shohei Ohtani’s Masterclass Sends Dodgers to World Series

Shohei Ohtani delivered a performance for the ages in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, carrying the Los Angeles Dodgers past the Milwaukee Brewers and into the World Series.

In a commanding display of two-way excellence, Ohtani launched three mammoth home runs and fanned 10 batters over 7+ innings, powering the Dodgers to a 5–1 win and a clean sweep of the NLCS. On the strength of this extraordinary outing, he was named NLCS MVP.

A Historic Day on the Mound and at the Plate

From the first pitch, Ohtani made history. After striking out the side in the top of the first, he stepped to the plate and belted a lead-off home run — the first ever by a pitcher in MLB postseason history.

He didn’t stop there. In the fourth, he crushed a 469-foot shot that cleared the pavilion above the left field bleachers. And in the seventh, he added a third solo homer — becoming just the 12th player in MLB history to hit three home runs in a postseason game. His three blasts traveled a total of 1,342 feet.

On the mound, Ohtani was equally brilliant. He struck out 10 Brewers — his first double-digit strikeout game as a Dodger — and pitched deep into the game, stifling Milwaukee’s offense.

Dodgers Back in the Fall Classic

With the sweep, the Dodgers punch their ticket to the World Series. They will await the winner of the American League Championship Series — either the Mariners or the Blue Jays — after enjoying a bye week before the Fall Classic begins.

This Dodgers squad will attempt to become the first repeat World Series champion in 25 years — and Ohtani might just be the catalyst. Over three seasons with Los Angeles, he’s already a three-time MVP, and now he’s delivered in the postseason too.

Of his historic showing, Ohtani said (via translator):

“It was really fun on both sides of the ball today.”

He added:

“As a representative of the Dodgers, I’m taking this trophy — and let’s get four more wins.”