When Shohei Ohtani, the two‑way sensation for the Los Angeles Dodgers, launched a leadoff homer in the first inning, the atmosphere at Dodger Stadium shifted from tense to electric.
The Dodgers clinched the National League pennant with a 5‑1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, October 17, 2025, completing a four‑game sweep in Game 4 of the National League Championship SeriesLos Angeles, California. Ohtani’s performance – three home runs, 1,342 total feet, and a ten‑strikeout outing – will be remembered as one of the most historic two‑way displays ever.
Context: A Dominant Brewers Squad Meets a Resilient Dodgers Rotation
Coming into the NLCS, the Brewers held the best regular‑season record in MLB, 97‑65, while the Dodgers were 92‑70. Yet the Dodgers’ pitching staff, anchored by Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow, had already ferried 68 outs in the first three games, compared with a meager 21 outs for Milwaukee’s starter‑openers.
The Brewers’ offense had sputtered: Mike Vaughn was 0‑for‑10, William Contreras 0‑for‑10, Brice Turang 1‑for‑12, Jackson Chourio 1‑for‑11, Christian Yelich 1‑for‑11, and Garrett Frelick 1‑for‑10. Their early‑series slump made a comeback look steep, especially after three straight games where they managed only two, three, and four hits respectively.
Ohtani’s Three‑Home‑Run, Two‑Hit Masterpiece
Facing Brewers left‑hander José Quintana in the bottom of the first, Ohtani became the first pitcher in major‑league history to launch a leadoff homer. He followed with a monstrous 469‑foot blast in the fourth that cleared the left‑field pavilion, and capped the night with a solo shot in the seventh.
Those three homers placed Ohtani alongside only eleven other players to ever hit three in a postseason game, and his total distance—1,342 feet—ranked among the longest playoff displays on record. On the mound, he tossed two‑hit ball into the seventh inning, fanning ten Brewers and never letting a runner reach base after the first.
- Three home runs (1,342 ft total)
- Ten strikeouts
- Two hits allowed over 6⅔ innings
- First pitcher ever to hit a leadoff homer
Reactions from the Dugout and Broadcast Booth
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts summed up the night, saying, “Ohtani’s performance will be remembered for generations.” Across the alley, Brewers manager Pat Murphy admitted, “We just got outplayed by a historic performance.” The national broadcast on TBS, which began at 8:38 p.m. ET, featured a stunned ESPN analyst panel noting that Ohtani’s postseason batting average had been a modest .158 before the game—a quiet stretch that evaporated in a flash.
Impact: Dodgers Head to the World Series
The win sends Los Angeles to the Fall Classic, where they’ll chase the elusive feat of becoming baseball’s first repeat World Series champions in 25 years. Betting markets had already favored the Dodgers at -206 on the moneyline; the sweep only widened that gap, and the run line of -1.5 (+105) became a sure thing.
Beyond the odds, the sweep underscores a broader trend: the Dodgers are the sixth franchise ever to win four straight postseason games while allowing one run or fewer in each. Their defensive consistency, paired with Ohtani’s dual‑threat heroics, creates a template that other clubs will study for years.
What Comes Next? World Series Preview
Next up, the Dodgers will face the American League champion—still to be decided in a tight five‑game series in New York. Analysts predict that Ohtani’s two‑way skill set will dictate pitching matchups, especially against a lineup that favours power over contact. Meanwhile, Brewers fans will mourn a season that began with a franchise‑record 97 wins but ended in a swift, decisive defeat.
For the city of Los Angeles, the celebration is already in full swing. Street parties are sprouting near the stadium, and local businesses are offering free “Ohtani‑Special” drinks. If history is any guide, the Dodgers’ momentum could carry them all the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ohtani’s performance affect the Dodgers’ World Series odds?
The sweep pushed Dodgers’ World Series odds from roughly +120 to a firm -300, according to Las Vegas bookmakers. Ohtani’s three‑home‑run game not only secured the pennant but also gave the team an offensive boost that analysts say could shave a full run off any future opponent’s projected total.
What record did Ohtani break by hitting a leadoff home run as a pitcher?
He became the first pitcher in Major League history to start a postseason game with a leadoff homer. The feat joins an exclusive list that includes legends like Babe Ruth (who famously hit both as a pitcher and a hitter) but is unique to the modern era of specialized pitching.
Why did the Brewers’ offense collapse despite a 97‑win season?
The Brewers relied heavily on a short‑stop rotation that couldn’t adjust to the Dodgers’ deep‑ball strategy. Their key hitters—Vaughn, Contreras, and Yelich—combined for just three hits in the first three games, and the team’s overall on‑base percentage fell below .250 in the series, making it impossible to sustain runs against elite Dodgers pitching.
What does the sweep mean for the NL’s representation in the World Series?
It guarantees a National League champion for the first time since the 2022 season, ending a stretch where the American League had won three consecutive titles. The NL now returns to the spotlight, and many fans view the Dodgers as the league’s best chance to reclaim the championship.
Will Ohtani continue to pitch and hit in the World Series?
Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani will remain a two‑way player unless injury concerns arise. The team’s strategy hinges on his ability to dominate on the mound while providing a potent bat in the lineup, a dual role that has already paid off handsomely.