Imagine witnessing a baseball superstar single-handedly shift the momentum of a championship chase in a single, unforgettable evening – that's the mesmerizing reality Shohei Ohtani brought to life for the Los Angeles Dodgers! But here's where it gets really exciting: this wasn't just any game; it was a display of two-way dominance that has fans and experts alike buzzing. And this is the part most people miss – how his performance could redefine what it means to be an all-time great in the sport.
In an electrifying turn of events, Ohtani ignited the Dodgers' path back to the World Series with a performance that defied expectations and captured hearts across the nation. Picture this: striking out 10 batters while hurling shutout innings deep into the seventh, and then launching three colossal home runs to seal a 5-1 triumph over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday night. For baseball newcomers, the NLCS is like the semifinals of the playoffs, where the top teams from each league battle it out to advance to the ultimate showdown, the World Series, which crowns the champion of the entire sport.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts couldn't contain his enthusiasm, proclaiming, 'That was probably the greatest postseason performance of all time. There’s been a lot of postseason games, and there’s a reason why he’s the greatest player on the planet.' He wasn't exaggerating – Ohtani's heroics propelled the Dodgers to sweep the series, earning him the NLCS MVP award based almost solely on this one legendary outing. After a quieter postseason by his usual standards, Ohtani reflected through his interpreter, 'This time around it was my turn to be able to perform,' showcasing the humility behind his superstar talent.
Let's break down the highlights to make it crystal clear, especially for those new to the game. Ohtani started his pitching dominance by fanning three Brewers in the first inning. Then, as a hitter, he made history with the first leadoff home run by a pitcher in MLB history off Brewers starter Jose Quintana – that's when a player hits a homer right at the start of their turn to bat. Not stopping there, he unleashed a 469-foot blast in the fourth inning that soared over the pavilion roof in right-center field, a feat that would impress even seasoned fans. His third solo shot came in the seventh, marking him as the 12th MLB player to hit three homers in a single postseason game, with all three totaling an astonishing 1,342 feet in distance.
On the mound, Ohtani showcased his pitching prowess in his second career postseason start for the Dodgers, limiting the Brewers to just two hits while recording his first double-digit strikeout game in the team's uniform. He kept them hitless until the fourth inning and struck out two batters in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings – a masterclass in control and power. Teammate Freddie Freeman, who won World Series MVP last year, was in awe: 'Sometimes you’ve got to check yourself and touch him to make sure he’s not just made of steel. Absolutely incredible. Biggest stage, and he goes out and does something like that. It’ll probably be remembered as the Shohei Ohtani game.'
The drama unfolded perfectly: after the Brewers got their first two batters on base in the seventh, Ohtani exited to a thunderous stadium roar, handing off to reliever Alex Vesia, who escaped the threat. Then, in the bottom of the inning, Ohtani capped it off by hitting his third homer, turning the night into pure magic. Here's a fun example to imagine: it's like a quarterback not only throwing for touchdowns but also scoring on the ground and in the air – Ohtani was doing it all, blurring the lines between pitcher and slugger.
This victory marks the Dodgers as the first team to win back-to-back pennants since the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009, and they're heading to the World Series for the fifth time in nine seasons. They're aiming to become baseball's first repeat champions in 25 years, following the New York Yankees' three consecutive wins from 1998 to 2000. Freeman added, 'That was special. We’ve just been playing really good baseball for a while now, and the inevitable kind of happened today — Shohei. Oh my God. I’m still speechless.'
After dominating the NL playoffs with a 9-1 record, the Dodgers are set for their 23rd World Series appearance in franchise history, including 14 pennants since relocating from Brooklyn to Los Angeles – only the Yankees, their opponents last year, have more Fall Classic berths with 41. They'll enjoy a week's break before facing off next Friday, either in Toronto against the Blue Jays or at Dodger Stadium versus the Seattle Mariners, who took a 3-2 lead in the ALCS (the American League's championship series) after a 6-2 win earlier that night; the series resumes Sunday at Rogers Centre.
But here's where it gets controversial: the Dodgers, never having swept an NLCS in 16 prior tries, became just the fifth team to do so in this format, overpowering a Milwaukee team that racked up 97 wins – the most in the majors this season. Los Angeles is also the first to sweep a best-of-seven postseason series since 2022 and the first to sweep an NLCS since the Washington Nationals in 2019. Roberts, shouting to the crowd during celebrations, quipped, 'Before this season started, they said the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Let’s get four more wins and really ruin baseball!' This playful jab highlights a debate: are powerhouse teams like the Dodgers making the sport less competitive, or are they elevating it with star power? And this is the part most people miss – does Ohtani's dominance overshadow team efforts, or is it a testament to his unique skills?
The Brewers, NL Central champions with a franchise-record 97 wins, were eliminated by the Dodgers for the third time in their seven playoff appearances over eight years, still chasing their first World Series since 1982. Manager Pat Murphy conceded, 'We were part of tonight an iconic, maybe the best individual performance ever in a postseason game. I don’t think anybody can argue with that. A guy punches out 10 and hits three homers.' Yet, Milwaukee had never been swept in a playoff series beyond a best-of-three, and their offense struggled against the Dodgers' stellar rotation, which combined for 28 2/3 innings, just two earned runs allowed, and 35 strikeouts.
Outfielder Blake Perkins reflected, 'I really think that to beat us four games in a row, you’ve got to do a lot of things right. Some things had to go their way that didn’t go our way. We hit a lot of balls at people. But either way, Ohtani did great today. Is he the greatest player ever? I don’t know. But he sure seemed like it tonight.' This raises a provocative point: is Ohtani already the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) in baseball, or does his dominance come with caveats about modern analytics and two-way play not being a standard comparison?
To wrap up the scoring: the Dodgers tacked on two runs in the first after Ohtani's opening homer, with Mookie Betts and Will Smith singling in. Milwaukee's Jackson Chourio doubled to start the fourth, but Ohtani kept him stranded. Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen let two more on in the eighth, and Caleb Durbin scored via Brice Turang's grounder before Anthony Banda closed it out. Rookie closer Roki Sasaki handled the ninth in another solid outing.
What do you think, readers? Was Ohtani's night the ultimate postseason masterpiece, or should we debate if his unique talents make direct comparisons unfair? Do teams like the Dodgers 'ruin' baseball with their depth, or do they inspire new generations? Share your opinions in the comments – I'd love to hear differing views!
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
