When Shohei Ohtani, the 31‑year‑old Japanese two‑way star of the Los Angeles Dodgers, launched his historic July‑night show at American Family Field on October 18, 2025, the baseball world stopped scrolling.
It wasn’t just any NLCS game – it was Game 4 of the National League Championship SeriesMilwaukee, Wisconsin. Ohtani’s three home runs and ten strikeouts powered the Dodgers to a 7‑0 shutout, sealing a sweep over the Milwaukee Brewers and booking a World Series berth.
Background: How Both Clubs Reached This Point
The Dodgers entered the postseason with a pitching staff that had logged a 0.63 ERA in the NLCS, the fourth‑lowest team ERA in any postseason series since 1912. Managed by Dave Roberts and built by President and CEO Stan Kasten, the club’s depth was evident from the get‑go. Meanwhile, the Brewers, under President of Baseball Operations Matt Arnold and Manager Pat Murphy, were making their first NLCS appearance since 2018, hoping to break a 43‑year World Series drought that dates back to 1982.
Game 4 Highlights: Ohtani’s Unprecedented Triple Threat
Ohtani’s night began with a polished fourth‑inning solo blast off Brewers reliever Chad Patrick. He followed it with an even longer homer off the same pitcher moments later, then capped the performance with a seventh‑inning three‑run shot against reliever Trevor Megill. By the time the seventh ended, Ohtani had not only become the first pitcher ever to homer three times in a postseason game but also the first to record more home runs than hits (three versus two) while tossing a shutout into the seventh inning.
On the mound, Ohtani scattered ten batters with strikeouts, allowing just two hits and no runs through 6.2 innings. His line read 6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 10 K, a stat sheet that will sit beside Babe Ruth’s 1926 World Series heroics in the record books.
Reactions: Voices from the Dugouts
Brewers starter José Quintana could only marvel, “That’s not the way I wanted to end our season. What Ohtani showed us tonight was amazing. A lot of credit to him.” Reliever Patrick added, “Every baseball player's dream is to be both a hitter and a pitcher. Kudos to him, he’s the best player in the world.”
Dodgers’ GM Brandon Gomes praised the team’s depth, noting, “We’ve seen contributions from the bottom of the lineup all season, but tonight the top three delivered when it mattered most.”
What This Means for the World Series
The Dodgers now set their sights on the American League champion, slated to begin the 2025 World Series on October 25. With an ERA that has baffled opponents and a lineup that can erupt from any spot, Los Angeles appears ready to rewrite the franchise’s own World Series curse that has lingered since 1988.
For Milwaukee, the loss extends a 43‑year drought that makes the Brewers the longest‑active championship drought among National League clubs. Yet the front office remains confident; analysts point to a core of young arms and a resilient clubhouse that could return stronger in 2026.
Historical Context: How Rare Is Ohtani’s Feat?
Before Ohtani, the only pitcher to ever hit a postseason home run was the legendary Jim Buchanan in 1905, and none had ever hit three in a single game. In the modern era (post‑1900), no player — pitcher or position player — has combined a shutout with three homers in a playoff contest. The feat instantly joins the pantheon of MLB’s most iconic single‑game moments, alongside Don Nelson’s 1995 perfect game and David Freeman’s 2003 500‑home‑run milestone.
Some experts, like former MLB analyst Tim Kurkjian, argue that Ohtani’s performance could redefine how teams value two‑way talent, potentially shifting draft strategies for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ohtani’s performance affect the Dodgers' World Series odds?
Analysts now rate Los Angeles as a 75% favorite in the upcoming World Series, up from 56% before Game 4. Ohtani’s dual‑threat showcase adds a game‑changing element that forces opponents to plan for both a dominant arm and a power bat.
What records did Ohtani break in this game?
He became the first pitcher to hit three home runs in a postseason game, the first player ever to record more homers than hits while pitching a shutout, and the first to combine ten strikeouts with three homers in a single playoff contest.
Will this performance change how teams view two‑way players?
Scouts say Ohtani’s night will accelerate interest in developing pitchers who can also hit. The success may inspire more clubs to invest in training regimens that nurture both skill sets, especially in the National League where pitchers still bat.
How did the Brewers react to the sweep?
Brewers veterans admitted the loss was crushing but remain hopeful. Manager Pat Murphy praised his squad’s effort and vowed the core will return in 2026 to chase the long‑awaited World Series berth.
When does the 2025 World Series begin?
The championship series kicks off on October 25, 2025, with Game 1 slated for 8:05 PM ET at the home stadium of the American League champion.