Shohei Ohtani Dominates with 3 Homers and 10 Strikeouts to Seal Dodgers’ 5-1 NLCS Victory Over Brewers

LOS ANGELES – Shohei Ohtani delivered a historic two-way performance that propelled the Los Angeles Dodgers into the World Series, showcasing his extraordinary talent on both the mound and at the plate.

In a commanding display, Ohtani blasted three towering home runs and struck out 10 batters while pitching scoreless innings through seven frames. His efforts powered the Dodgers to a 5-1 sweep over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday night.

“That might be the most remarkable postseason showing ever,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts remarked. “There have been countless playoff games, but this is why he’s considered the best player in the world.”

With this stunning victory, the Dodgers are poised to become the first team in 25 years to defend their World Series title, thanks largely to the three-time MVP’s electrifying night that shattered his previously quiet playoff run. Ohtani’s performance earned him the NLCS MVP honors, largely on the strength of this unforgettable game.

“This time, it was my moment to shine,” Ohtani said through his interpreter.

After fanning three batters in the opening inning, Ohtani made history by hitting the first-ever leadoff home run by a pitcher in major league postseason play off Brewers starter Jose Quintana.

He then crushed a 469-foot homer in the fourth inning, clearing the pavilion roof in right-center field, followed by a third solo shot in the seventh. This feat made him only the 12th player in MLB history to hit three home runs in a single postseason game, with his combined homers traveling an astounding 1,342 feet.

Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki and catcher Will Smith celebrate their triumph against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the NLCS on October 17, 2025, in Los Angeles.
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On the mound, Ohtani was equally dominant in his second postseason start, allowing just two hits while striking out 10 – his first double-digit strikeout game as a Dodger. He kept the Brewers hitless until the fourth inning and struck out two batters in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings.

“Sometimes you have to remind yourself he’s human and not made of steel,” said teammate Freddie Freeman, last year’s World Series MVP. “What he did on the biggest stage is absolutely phenomenal. This will likely be remembered as the ‘Shohei Ohtani game.'”

After the Brewers loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, Ohtani exited to a roaring ovation. Reliever Alex Vesia quelled the threat, and Ohtani capped the inning by launching his third home run in the bottom half.

The Dodgers, a powerhouse squad, are now the first team since 2009 to win consecutive pennants. This marks their fifth World Series appearance in nine years, as they aim to become the first team to repeat as champions since the Yankees’ three-peat from 1998 to 2000.

“That was something special,” Freeman said. “We’ve been playing solid baseball for a while, and today it all came together – thanks to Shohei. I’m still at a loss for words.”

Following a dominant 9-1 run through the National League playoffs, the Dodgers are headed to their 23rd World Series, including 14 pennants since relocating from Brooklyn. Only the New York Yankees, last year’s World Series opponents, have more appearances with 41.

Los Angeles will enjoy a week-long break before the World Series kicks off next Friday, either in Toronto or at Dodger Stadium, depending on whether they face the Seattle Mariners or the Blue Jays. The Mariners took a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series after a 6-2 win over Toronto on Friday, with the series resuming Sunday at Rogers Centre.

Shohei Ohtani celebrates the Dodgers’ win against the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS on October 17, 2025, in Los Angeles.
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Remarkably, the Dodgers completed their first-ever NLCS sweep in 16 tries, becoming only the fifth team to sweep this series. They dominated a Brewers team that led the majors with 97 regular-season wins. Los Angeles is the first to sweep a best-of-seven postseason series since 2022 and the first to sweep the NLCS since Washington in 2019.

“Before the season, people said the Dodgers were ruining baseball,” Roberts shouted during the celebration. “Let’s get four more wins and really shake things up!”

The Brewers, champions of the NL Central, were ousted by the Dodgers for the third time in seven playoff appearances over eight years. Despite setting a franchise record for wins this season, Milwaukee remains in pursuit of its first World Series berth since 1982.

“Tonight, we witnessed an iconic, possibly the greatest individual postseason performance ever,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “A guy strikes out 10 and belts three homers – that’s undeniable.”

Milwaukee had never been swept in a playoff series longer than a best-of-three, but their offense was stifled by the Dodgers’ stellar starting rotation. Los Angeles’ four starters combined for 28 2/3 innings, allowing just two earned runs and striking out 35.

“To beat us four straight, you have to execute perfectly,” outfielder Blake Perkins said. “Some things went their way that didn’t for us. We hit a lot of balls right at people. But Ohtani was incredible today. Is he the greatest ever? I’m not sure, but tonight he sure looked like it.”

The Dodgers added two runs in the first inning after Ohtani’s historic homer, with Mookie Betts and Will Smith both delivering singles and scoring.

Jackson Chourio led off the fourth with a double for Milwaukee’s first hit, but Ohtani stranded him on base.

Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen struggled in the eighth, allowing two baserunners. Caleb Durbin scored when Brice Turang beat out a potential double-play grounder before Anthony Banda closed the inning.

Rookie closer Roki Sasaki sealed the victory by pitching the ninth inning, continuing his impressive relief performances for the Dodgers.