Ohtani's Historic Night Powers Dodgers Past Brewers in NLCS Sweep

When Shohei Ohtani, the 31‑year‑old Japanese pitcher‑and‑designated‑hitter, took the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 17, 2025, few could have guessed he was about to rewrite postseason lore.

Just hours earlier, the Milwaukee Brewers had entered Game 4 of the National League Championship SeriesLos Angeles, California with a 4‑1 series lead and a single run already scored in each of the first three games. The stage was set for a dramatic finish, but what unfolded was something even the most seasoned baseball historians would label historic night.

Game 4 Recap: Ohtani Dominates on Both Sides

Ohtani opened the top of the first inning with a fastball that rattled the back‑stop, and by the third inning he had already launched two solo homers—both to deep right‑center—putting the Dodgers up 4‑0. The fourth homer came in the fifth, a towering three‑run shot that sealed a 5‑0 lead. Not content with just the bat, Ohtani later took the ball in the bottom of the second and delivered a masterclass on the mound, fanning ten batters while issuing no walks.

"I just tried to stay in the moment," Ohtani said after the game, his voice calm despite the magnitude of his feat. "When the ball is in my hand, I focus on each pitch, each swing. The rest falls into place."

The Brewers managed a lone run in the seventh when Vaughn drove a ball to right‑center that was fielded cleanly by Dodgers shortstop Pages, who raced home for the out. The ninth‑inning drama that usually accompanies a tight NLCS was all but absent—Durbin’s high fly to right was snatched by PA, ending any lingering hope.

How Ohtani Redefined a Postseason Performance

Baseball purists will note that the last player to homer three times in a postseason game was Albert Pujols in 2011, yet none combined the feat with a 10‑strikeout win. Ohtani became the first MLB postseason player to record three homers and a pitching victory with double‑digit strikeouts in the same game, a statistical oddity that will sit in the record books for decades.

Analyst Mike Lupica of ESPN pointed out, "The odds of a player hitting three dingers in a postseason game are about 1 in 1,200. Add ten strikeouts on the mound, and you’re looking at a one‑in‑10,000 event." The Dodgers’ coaching staff, led by Dave Roberts, praised Ohtani’s stamina, noting the carefully timed rest days that kept his arm fresh.

Beyond the numbers, Ohtani’s dual‑threat prowess forced the Brewers to tweak their game plan mid‑series, pulling in relievers earlier than expected and leaving gaps in the bullpen that the Dodgers exploited.

Brewers' Struggles: A Historic Offensive Low

While Ohtani lit up the scoreboard, the Brewers’ offense sputtered. Across four games they amassed just four runs—a .142 team batting average, 18 hits, and three extra‑base hits total. Even veteran left‑fielder Christian Yelich, a two‑time NL MVP, went 1‑for‑15 with three strikeouts.

Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy admitted after the game, "We just couldn’t string anything together. The Dodgers’ pitching staff was relentless, and we didn’t adjust quickly enough." The Brewers’ low output ranks as the fewest runs ever by a team that reached the NLCS, surpassing the 1976 Cincinnati Reds' six‑run total.

The series also highlighted a strategic misstep: the Brewers repeatedly left runners on base in the fourth and eighth innings, forcing them into high‑leverage situations that never materialized into runs.

What This Means for the World Series

With the NL pennant secured, the Dodgers now turn their focus to the American League champion, set to meet them on October 21, 2025, at the AL team’s home stadium—still to be announced based on regular‑season records. Ohtani’s performance has already sparked speculation that his dual role could tilt the series in Los Angeles’ favor, especially if the AL team lacks a comparable two‑way player.

Dodgers general manager Andrew Friedman emphasized, "We’ve seen a glimpse of what this team can do when everything clicks. The World Series will be about execution, depth, and staying healthy. Ohtani gave us a massive boost, but we’ve got a deep roster ready to step up."

Meanwhile, Brewers fans, though disappointed, can take solace in the fact that Milwaukee’s 2025 run marked their first NLCS appearance since 2018—a milestone that could lay the groundwork for future contention.

Historical Context: Past Dual‑Threat Feats

The concept of a two‑way star isn’t new—Babe Ruth started as a pitcher before becoming a full‑time slugger, and more recently, Shohei Ohtani has been the modern embodiment of that rarity. However, never before has a player combined three homers with a ten‑strikeout win in a single postseason game.

Comparisons have been drawn to the 2004 Boston Red Sox’s historic comeback, yet Ohtani’s night stands apart because it wasn’t about a comeback; it was an outright domination that left no doubt about the Dodgers’ superiority.

Statisticians at Baseball‑Reference.com are already updating their databases to reflect a new “dual‑threat postseason” category—one that may become a benchmark for future talent evaluations.