Shohei Ohtani’s 3‑HR, Pitching Masterclass Powers Dodgers to NLCS Sweep

When Shohei Ohtani, the 31‑year‑old pitcher‑designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, took the mound at American Family Field on Friday, October 17, 2025, he did more than just win the game – he rewrote the postseason playbook.

That night, the National League Championship Series Game 4American Family Field turned into a showcase of pure, two‑way talent. Ohtani not only started and threw five solid innings, allowing just two runs and striking out six, but he also launched three home runs – in the 1st, 3rd and 5th innings – to spearhead an 8‑3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. The result completed a Dodgers sweep of the NLCS and sent Los Angeles to the 2025 World Series for the second straight year.

Background: Dodgers’ NLCS Journey

The Dodgers entered the series as the National League’s top seed, having posted a 106‑56 regular‑season record. Game 1 on October 14 saw a 5‑2 win courtesy of a late‑inning rally; Game 2 on October 15 was a 7‑4 affair highlighted by a clutch double from Mookie Betts. The third showdown on October 16 featured a 6‑5 extra‑inning thriller that left the Brewers bruised but still hopeful. By the time Ohtani’s turn arrived, the Dodgers were 3‑0 up and looking to seal the pennant on home turf.

Game 4: A Triple‑Threat Masterclass

Ohtani’s line was simple on paper but dizzying in reality. He opened the first inning with a solo shot to right‑center that barely cleared the 380‑foot fence. Two innings later, after fanning the first two Brewers hitters, he belted a 420‑foot blast to left‑field, putting the Dodgers up 3‑0. In the fifth, with two outs and a runner on second, he launched a towering three‑run homer that sent the crowd at American Family Field into a frenzy.

On the mound, Ohtani mixed a 92‑mph fastball with a wicked slider and a change‑up that kept Milwaukee’s lineup guessing. He retired 12 of the 15 batters he faced, walking only one. The Brewers managed two runs in the seventh – both earned on a misplayed double play – but the damage was already done.

Broadcast partners around the globe – TBS, KLAC 570 AM, KTNQ 1020 AM and Japan’s SPOTV – replayed each swing in slow motion, underscoring how rare a performance of this magnitude truly is.

Historical Context: Where Ohtani’s Feat Stands

Baseball historians have a long list of single‑game legends. Shawn Green’s four‑home‑run night in May 2002, Kerry Wood’s 20‑strikeout masterpiece in 1998, and Sandy Koufax’s perfect game in 1965 are all etched in the record books. Yet none combined a pitching start with a three‑home‑run outburst in the postseason.

MLB.com’s statistical deep‑dive notes that the only comparable two‑way feats belong to Babe Ruth’s 1921 double‑home‑run, 10‑run game (though he wasn’t the pitcher) and the occasional minor‑league oddity. Ohtani’s NLCS Game 4 therefore occupies a singular niche: the first time a player has both started on the mound and hit three homers in a playoff game that clinched a league pennant.

Reactions from the Field and Media

Los Angeles Times Dodgers beat writer Jack Harris summed it up on his post‑game video: “This is probably the biggest game he’s ever played when you look at pitching and hitting all the noise around him. The chance to send the Dodgers to the World Series.” Columnists Dylan Hernandez and Bill Plaschke echoed the sentiment, calling the night “a phenomenon around the globe” and noting that “no matter where you were – whether you were watching on TV or listening on the radio – Ohtani’s greatness could be understood by all.”

The Brewers’ general manager Matt Arnold was gracious in defeat, saying, “We gave it everything we had, but Ohtani was just on another level tonight. It’s a night we’ll remember for a long time.”

Even rival AL teams took notice. Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters, “If we meet the Dodgers in the World Series, we’ll have to figure out a game plan for a guy who can both dominate on the mound and change the game with his bat.”

Looking Ahead: World Series and ALCS

The Dodgers now await their World Series opponent, which will be determined after Game 7 of the American League Championship Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners. The ALCS is dead‑locked 3‑3 after the Mariners won Game 6 on October 18; the decisive Game 7 is set for October 19 at Seattle’s T‑Mobile Park.

Because the Dodgers clinched the NL pennant at home, they will enjoy home‑field advantage when the World Series kicks off on October 25, 2025. That could be crucial – especially if Ohtani continues to pitch deep into games while providing offensive firepower.

Legacy and What It Means for Baseball

Ohtani’s performance may signal a shift in how teams value two‑way players. The Dodgers’ front office, led by President Stan Kasten, reportedly began scouting “dual‑role” talent more aggressively after Ohtani’s 2023 debut. If his 2025 NLCS showcase translates into a World Series MVP, the league could see a resurgence of players who pitch and hit at elite levels, a rarity since the designated‑hitter era began in 1973.

Beyond the strategic ramifications, the night gave fans a story that will be retold for generations: a Japanese phenom standing on a Milwaukee mound, slamming three homers and sealing a championship, all while the roar of the crowd echoed across the Midwest. For anyone who’s ever tuned into a baseball broadcast, it was a reminder why the sport remains America’s pastime – and why Ohtani’s name will now be spoken alongside Ruth, Gehrig and Koufax.