When Shohei Ohtani, the 30‑year‑old Japanese two‑way star for the Los Angeles Dodgers, stepped onto the mound at Dodger Stadium on October 17, 2025, nobody could have guessed he was about to pull off a historic performance that would rewrite the postseason record books.
Historical Context: Two‑Way Players and NLCS Lore
Ohtani’s journey from the Hokkaido Nippon‑Ham Fighters to the Angels, and finally to the Dodgers with a 10‑year, $700 million contract in December 2023, has always been billed as “once‑in‑a‑generation.” The last time a pitcher threw six or more scoreless innings with double‑digit strikeouts and also homered in the same playoff game was back in 1975—and even then it never involved three homers.
The NLCS itself has produced a handful of infamous moments. In 2024, Ohtani led off Game 4 against the New York Mets with a long ball off left‑hander Jose Quintana, exactly one year to the day before his latest heroics. That 2024 leadoff blast was his second postseason leadoff homer, tying him with five other players for the most leadoff shots in a single postseason.
Game 4 Details: 3 HRs, 10 Ks, Zero Runs
After a short, sharp top‑of‑the‑first‑inning pitch‑count – 19 pitches, three strikeouts and a walk – Ohtani turned the tables at the plate. He launched a 446‑foot, 112.3 mph shot to center field, measured by Statcast, solidifying the first ever instance of a pitcher leading off a postseason game with a home run.
The fireworks didn’t stop there. Two more dingers followed: a 398‑foot blast in the fourth and a clutch three‑run shot in the seventh that broke the Brewers’ lingering hope. All the while, Ohtani was simultaneously striking out batters at a ferocious clip – 10 Ks over 6.2 innings, allowing zero runs and walking just one.
Behind him, the Dodgers bullpen stayed tight, and veteran left‑hander Clayton Kershaw praised the rotation’s “never‑cool‑down” attitude during the post‑game interview.
Reactions from Players, Coaches, and Analysts
“That’s an all‑time MLB postseason performance,” declared the TBS analyst crew – Pedro Martínez, Curtis Granderson, Jimmy Rollins and Adam Lefkoe – as the camera cut to Ohtani coolly walking off the mound.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts highlighted the strategic flexibility the performance gives his staff. “We can picture Ohtani in relief in the World Series if the situation calls for it,” he said, noting the potential to “run four arms” in a short series.
Milwaukee’s owner Mark Attanasio was gracious in defeat, saying, “We showed fight, but Ohtani was just on another planet tonight.”
Impact on the World Series Outlook
The sweep pushes the Dodgers into the 2025 World Series, slated to begin on October 25, where they’ll meet either the New York Yankees or the Cleveland Guardians. Ohtani’s dual‑threat display forces opponents to plan for a pitcher who can also swing a bat like a power hitter – a nightmare scenario for any bullpen.
Analytics guru Baseball‑Reference updated the team’s WAR (Wins Above Replacement) projection, adding 0.8 WAR for Ohtani’s offensive output plus 1.2 WAR for his pitching, catapulting his season value into the historic 15‑WAR range.
What This Means for Two‑Way Players
For the first time since Babe Ruth, a player has logged a six‑plus inning, 10‑strikeout outing while also smashing three home runs in the same postseason game. It validates the Dodgers’ gamble on a ten‑year, $700 million commitment and could spark a new wave of teams courting two‑way talent.
The MLB Players Association is already fielding questions about contract structures for “dual‑role” athletes. If Ohtani can keep this level of production, we may see new clauses that reward pitchers for offensive milestones – a radical shift from the league’s traditional division of labor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ohtani’s performance affect the Dodgers’ chances in the World Series?
The Dodgers now have a player who can change a game with either a strikeout or a three‑run homer. That flexibility lets manager Dave Roberts adjust the rotation and bullpen on the fly, dramatically improving Los Angeles’ odds against either the Yankees or Guardians.
What records did Ohtani break in Game 4?
He became the first pitcher ever to lead off a postseason game with a home run, the first to record ten strikeouts while pitching six-plus scoreless innings and hit three homers in the same playoff contest, and he tied the record for most leadoff home runs in a single postseason (three).
Will Ohtani pitch in relief during the World Series?
Roberts hinted it’s a possibility, especially if a matchup favors a left‑handed arm. The team’s deep rotation means Ohtani could be tapped for a high‑leverage inning, giving Los Angeles an extra weapon.
How did the Brewers’ fans react to the sweep?
The Milwaukee crowd was a mix of stunned silence and respectful applause. Social‑media chatter highlighted the “incredible night for Ohtani” while fans lamented a missed opportunity to extend the series.
Could Ohtani’s feat influence future MLB contracts?
Analysts say teams may now factor offensive upside into pitcher deals. Ohtani’s $700 million, 10‑year contract could become a template for future two‑way stars, prompting clauses that reward both pitching and batting achievements.