Shohei Ohtani had perhaps a perfect Game 4 of the NLCS on Friday.
Ohtani, who started on the mound for the Dodgers, opened the 5-1 series clincher against the Brewers by striking out three while hitting triple digits on his fastball after walking leadoff hitter Brice Turang.
Just minutes later, Ohtani, 31, led off the bottom half of the inning at the plate for Los Angeles by blasting a 446-foot home run which nearly left Dodger Stadium off of ex-Mets left-hander Jose Quintana, his first of three long balls on the night. The first-inning blast came one year to the day after he took Quintana yard to lead off Game 4 of the NLCS against the Mets.
But he might have one-upped himself when he homered again in the fourth inning, blasting a 469-foot shot that cleared the roof of the right field pavilion.
After finishing his start on the mound — giving up just two hits with 10 strikeouts through six innings — Ohtani blasted his third homer of the night in the seventh inning, giving the Dodgers a 5-0 lead. The huge night earned him NLCS MVP.
The home runs give Ohtani a spark in an otherwise cold postseason at the plate so far, with the three-time MVP having a slash line of just .158/.273/.368 — and a 2-for-11 NLCS mark — before Friday’s game.
Ohtani’s performance also came with some more MLB history for the two-way phenom, as he became the first pitcher in the league’s history to lead off a game with a home run.
He also became the first Dodgers pitcher in history to hit a home run in the postseason.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a home run during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game four of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on October 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth inning during game four of the NLCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) runs after hitting a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth inning during game four of the NLCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
After the win, the Dodgers will play either the Mariners or Blue Jays in the World Series. Seattle won its Game 5 on Friday to take a 3-2 ALCS lead.