JUMP TO:

The Los Angeles Dodgers have had the luxury of managing Shohei Ohtani’s workload as they chase another World Series title, but they’ll put the three-time MVP back on the mound Friday night in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers.

It’s been nearly two weeks since Ohtani last pitched, when he allowed three earned runs but struck out nine in an NLDS Game 1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. The Dodgers have never faced a series deficit this October, thanks in large part to their dominant starting rotation, which has allowed them to give Ohtani as much rest between starts as possible.

Statistically, Ohtani doesn’t hit as well in games he starts on the mound, but this October, he hasn’t been hitting well in general. The Dodgers have managed to overcome his struggles at the plate, keeping the pressure off their star, though one has to wonder whether a strong outing on the mound could spark his offense.

If Ohtani delivers the kind of start the Dodgers expect, he could bring the reigning World Series champions one giant step closer to back-to-back titles. Los Angeles is one win away from a return to the World Series and its fifth NL pennant in the last nine seasons.

The Sporting News is tracking Ohtani’s start against the Brewers in Game 4 of the NLCS on Friday. Follow along for his pitch count, strikeout total, and all stats from his performance below.

STREAM: Watch Dodgers vs. Brewers live with DirecTV

Dodgers vs. Brewers score

 

MLB PLAYOFFS HQ:  Live MLB scores | Full MLB schedule | Updated MLB bracket

Shohei Ohtani stats todayPitchingPitches: 19Balls: 6Strikes: 13Hits: 0Walks: 1Strikeouts: 3Runs: 0Earned Runs: 0Innings: 1.0HittingAt-bats: 1Hits: 1Home runs: 1Walks: 0Strikeouts: 0Shohei Ohtani live updates, highlights from Dodgers vs. Brewers Game 4

All times ET.

8:51 p.m. — Liftoff for Ohtani! His third home run of the postseason puts the Dodgers in the lead.

SHOHEI OHTANI!

WHAT A START! pic.twitter.com/fI8mNHanNn

— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2025

8:45 p.m. — Ohtani strikes out the side, getting Chourio, Yelich and William Contreras to work around a leadoff walk. 

Shohei Ohtani has three strikeouts to start his night 😤 https://t.co/gCW4AgCQmg pic.twitter.com/BQMlzDoJhT

— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2025

8:43 p.m. — Make it back-to-back strikeouts as Christian Yelich goes down looking. Yelich is now 1-12 with seven strikeouts in this series.

8:42 p.m. — Ohtani bounces back with a strikeout of Jackson Chourio after issuing a leadoff walk to Brice Turang.

7:50 p.m. — And here’s what Ohtani will be facing tonight:

One step at a time

📺: @tbsnetwork
📻: @620wtmj#MagicBrew pic.twitter.com/659e6o8ox7

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) October 17, 2025

7:45 p.m. — Ohtani is once again leading off for the Dodgers, but not before he takes the mound for the top of the first inning. Here’s how L.A. is lining up:

Game 4.

Tonight’s #Dodgers NLCS lineup vs. Brewers: pic.twitter.com/UDPmaR4F77

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 17, 2025

MORE SHOHEI OHTANI NEWS:

Is Shohei Ohtani pitching tonight?

Ohtani is making his second career postseason start in Game 4 of the NLCS. The three-time MVP made his first-ever playoff start against the Phillies in Game 1 of the NLDS, allowing three earned runs but striking out nine batters in a Dodgers win. 

It’s been 13 days since Ohtani’s last start, so he is well-rested coming into Game 4 of the NLCS.

Where to watch Dodgers vs. BrewersDodgers vs. Brewers start timeDate: Friday, Oct. 17Time: 8:38 p.m. ET (5:38 p.m. PT)

First pitch in Game 4 of the NLCS is set for 8:38 p.m. ET, or 5:38 p.m. local time, on Friday from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. 

What channel is Dodgers vs. Brewers on today?TV Channel: TBS, truTVLive stream: HBO Max, DirecTV

The Dodgers and Brewers will face off in Game 4 of the NLCS on TBS and truTV. The game can be streamed on HBO Max or with DirecTV.Â