When Shohei Ohtani, the 31‑year‑old Japanese‑born designated hitter‑pitcher of the Los Angeles Dodgers, delivered a six‑plus‑inning, three‑home‑run, 10‑strikeout masterpiece on October 17, 2025, the baseball world stopped scrolling. The Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 5‑1 at Dodger Stadium in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, completing a four‑game sweep and clinching a 24th NL pennant.
Background: A Dodgers Dynasty in the Making
Los Angeles entered the 2025 postseason on a hot streak, riding nine straight wins that began in the NLDS against the New York Mets. Managed by Dave Roberts, the club had already proven its depth with a rotation that featured Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and newcomer Tyler Anderson. Owner Mark Walter and team president Stan Kasten had been quietly assembling a roster that combined power, speed and veteran poise.
Ohtani’s Record‑Breaking Game
At 5:08 PM PT, Ohtani took the mound. He walked the first two batters, then settled in, firing fastballs that topped 96 mph. By the third inning, he’d piled up three strikeouts, and the Brewers were already reeling. In the fourth inning, he smacked his first home run – a 405‑foot blast that cleared the left‑field wall. The crowd erupted; you could feel the ripple of disbelief. He followed that with a 362‑foot solo shot in the fifth and a 360‑foot three‑run homer in the seventh, sending the Dodgers to a 5‑0 lead.
While his bat was on fire, his arm was equally relentless. Ohtani struck out the first batter of the sixth, then fanned a veteran‑looking Christian Yelich on a low fastball. By the end of his outing, the box read 6.2 innings, three homers, ten strikeouts, zero runs – a line no pitcher‑hitter has ever posted in a postseason game.
Key Moments and Player Contributions
- Jackson Chourio (Brewers, 21) opened the fourth with a foul ball that nearly became a homer, but the Dodgers' defense held.
- Isaac Collins (Dodgers, 26) struck out swinging in the eighth, preserving the lead after Ohtani exited.
- Anthony Bonda (Dodgers reliever, 29) closed the eighth inning, recording the final two outs.
- Caleb Duran (Dodgers, 25) scored the insurance run on an RBI fielder’s choice.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s bullpen, led by closer Devin Williams, couldn’t find a missing piece. The Brewers managed just one run in each of the four NLCS games, mirroring a pattern that haunted their 2025 campaign.
Reactions from Teams and League Officials
“I’ve seen a lot of great games, but this? It’s something else,” said Dodgers bench coach Tim Hyers in the post‑game interview. He praised Ohtani’s dual‑role stamina, noting the rarity of a player dominating both sides of the diamond in a single postseason outing.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy was gracious, acknowledging the “extraordinary” talent Ohtani displayed while lamenting missed opportunities. “We were in a fight, but today the game was theirs,” he said, his voice tinged with the fatigue of a four‑game series loss.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred later called the performance “a historic moment that elevates the sport’s global appeal,” adding that the league would be highlighting Ohtani in promotional material leading up to the World Series.
What Lies Ahead: World Series Preview
The Dodgers now turn their sights to the American League champion Texas Rangers, managed by veteran manager Bruce Bochy. The World Series opens on October 21, 2025, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, and will likely draw an estimated 18.5 million viewers, according to Nielsen projections.
Analysts say Ohtani’s availability as both a starter and a DH gives Los Angeles a tactical edge the Rangers haven’t seen all season. The Rangers rely heavily on Corey Seager’s bat and a deep bullpen anchored by Nathan Eovaldi, but they’ll have to contend with a Dodgers lineup that’s averaging .294 this postseason.
Historical Significance and Legacy
Ohtani’s feat joins the pantheon of postseason legends: Babe Ruth’s 1928 World Series shutout, Sandy Koufax’s perfect game in 1965, and Madison Bumgarner’s 2014 World Series heroics. Yet his three‑home‑run, double‑digit strikeout night is unique; it rewrites the definition of a “complete game” for the modern era. The combination of power and pitching dominance is something baseball historians will dissect for years.
Beyond the stats, the performance underscores baseball’s growing international flavor. Ohtani, the first Japanese player to regularly pitch and hit at the Major League level, continues to bridge cultures and attract fans across the Pacific.
Key Facts
- Game date: October 17, 2025, 5:08 PM PT
- Final score: Dodgers 5, Brewers 1
- Ohtani: 3 HR (1,127 total feet), 10 K, 6.2 IP, 0 ER
- Attendance: 53,223 at Dodger Stadium
- World Series start: October 21, 2025, 8:03 PM ET at Globe Life Field
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ohtani’s performance affect the Dodgers’ World Series chances?
His dual‑role dominance gives Los Angeles a rare strategic advantage. If he can pitch five quality innings and still provide a potent bat, the Dodgers can shorten series length and force opponents into uncomfortable matchups. That flexibility boosts their odds against the Texas Rangers, who lack a comparable two‑way star.
What historical precedents exist for a player hitting three homers in a postseason game?
Only a handful of players have managed three homers in a single playoff game: Reggie Jackson in 1977, Pablo Santos in 2020, and Albert Pujols in 2009. None combined that power display with ten strikeouts as a pitcher, making Ohtani’s night a first in MLB history.
Why did the Brewers struggle to score against the Dodgers?
Los Angeles featured a rotation that limited opponents to one run or fewer in each of the four NLCS games. The Dodgers’ bullpen, especially Anthony Bonda, shut down late‑inning rallies, while the defense turned several hard‑hit balls into outs. Brewers’ timing was off, and they couldn’t capitalize on the few scoring chances they created.
When is the World Series scheduled to begin, and where will the first games be played?
Game 1 kicks off on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 8:03 PM ET at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The series follows a 2‑3‑2 home‑away format, with the Rangers hosting the first two games before the Dodgers take over for Games 3‑5.
What does this night mean for Japanese players in MLB?
Ohtani’s achievement reinforces the idea that Japanese talent can excel in every facet of the game, not just as position players. It may inspire more two‑way players to cross the Pacific and give MLB clubs confidence to invest in versatile athletes from Japan.