Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani holds the NLCS MVP trophy after Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani gestures to first baseman Freddie Freeman, not pictured, during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. He ended up hitting three in the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. He ended up hitting three in the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani connects for a solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. He ended up hitting three in the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. He ended up hitting three in the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. He ended up hitting three in the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. He ended up hitting three in the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani begins to run the bases as he watches the flight of his solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. He ended up hitting three in the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. He ended up hitting three in the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. He ended up hitting three in the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, is greeted by teammate Teoscar Hernandez as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (17) high-fives Manager Dave Roberts as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. He ended up hitting three in the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, right, celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. He ended up hitting three in the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. He ended up hitting three in the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, celebrates with teammate Miguel Rojas in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. He ended up hitting three in the game. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts advances to third base on a single by teammate Will Smith (not pictured) during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate throws to the plate during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani wipes his face during the second inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jose Quintana throws to the plate during the second inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani throws to the plate during the first inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Chad Patrick throws to the plate during the third inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani takes a moment on the mound after striking out the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jake Bauers to end the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jake Bauers to end the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani connects for a titanic solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his second homer of the night. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani connects for a titanic solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his second homer of the night. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a titanic solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his second homer of the night. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani connects for a titanic solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his second homer of the night. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his titanic solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his second homer of the night. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his second homer of the night. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani tosses his bat aside as he watches the flight of his titanic solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his second homer of the night. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani begins to run the bases as he watches the flight of his titanic solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his second homer of the night. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani begins to run the bases after hitting a titanic solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his second homer of the night. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a titanic solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his second homer of the night. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, left, is congratulated by teammate Mookie Betts after hitting a titanic solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his second homer of the night. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout after hitting a titanic solo home run during the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his second homer of the night. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani #17 is removed from the game by manager Dave Roberts after giving up a single against the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh inning of game 4 of a National League Championship series baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout after being removed during the seventh inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia throws to the plate throws to the plate during the seventh inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia celebrates after inducing an inning-ending double play during the seventh inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia celebrates after inducing an inning-ending double play during the seventh inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his third homer of the night. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hits a solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his third homer of the night. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his third homer of the night. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. It was his third homer of the night. He also struck out 10 in six scoreless innings on the mound. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani watches the flight of his solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his third homer of the night. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his third homer of the night. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It was his third homer of the night. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates in the dugout as fans cheer after he hit a solo home run during the seventh inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani hit three homers in the 5-1 win. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Members of the Milwaukee Brewers watch from the dugout during the eighth inning of their 5-1 loss to the Dodgers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers relief pitcher Roki Sasaki throws to the plate during the ninth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Cather Will Smith #16 hugs relief pitcher Roki Sasaki #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 to win game 4 and the National League Championship series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodger fans celebrate the sweep of the NLCS after defeating the Brewers 5-1 in game four at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers cerebrate after the final out in game four of the NLCS, defeating the Brewers 5-1 in game four at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. The Dodger swept the series and will face Toronto or Seattle in the World Series. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 to win game 4 and the National League Championship series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
The Dodgers celebrate after their 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers are headed to the World Series for the fifth time in the past nine seasons and are bidding to repeat as champs. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani, catcher Will Smith, right, and relief pitcher Roki Sasaki, second from left, celebrate after their 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers relief pitcher Roki Sasaki and catcher Will Smith embrace after their 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Dodgers relief pitcher Roki Sasaki, right, and catcher Will Smith celebrate after their 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Dodger fans celebrate the sweep of the NLCS after defeating the Brewers 5-1 in game four at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 to win game 4 and the National League Championship series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani, left, celebrates with pitching coach Mark Prior after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 to win game 4 and the National League Championship series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Cather Will Smith, right, along with relief pitcher Roki Sasaki #11, Anthony Banda #43 and Blake Treinen, left, of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 to win game 4 and the National League Championship series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 to win game 4 and the National League Championship series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Shohei Ohtani, right, hugs manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 to win game 4 and the National League Championship series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani holds the NLCS MVP trophy after Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates with the NLCS MVP trophy after their Game 4 win against the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Billie Jean King celebrates after the Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 to win game 4 and the National League Championship series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Andrew Friedman, President of baseball operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers hugs manager Dave Roberts as the Dodgers celebrate after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 to win game 4 and the National League Championship series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, left, celebrates on the field after their 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy hugs his children after they defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-1, in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers pose for the team photo after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 to win game 4 and the National League Championship series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers celebrate their sweep of the NLCS with champagne after defeating the Brewers 5-1 in game four at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers celebrate their sweep of the NLCS with champagne after defeating the Brewers 5-1 in game four at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers celebrate their sweep of the NLCS with champagne after defeating the Brewers 5-1 in game four at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers utility player Kiké Hernández celebrates their win against the Milwaukee Brewers in baseball’s National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The Dodgers celebrate after their 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers are headed to the World Series for the fifth time in the past nine seasons and are bidding to repeat as champs. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates after their win against the Milwaukee Brewers in baseball’s National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers celebrate their sweep of the NLCS with champagne after defeating the Brewers 5-1 in game four at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani celebrates their win against the Milwaukee Brewers in baseball’s National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers celebrate their sweep of the NLCS with champagne after defeating the Brewers 5-1 in game four at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto celebrates their win against the Milwaukee Brewers in baseball’s National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles.(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers infielder Hyeseong Kim celebrates their win against the Milwaukee Brewers in baseball’s National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The mound after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 to win game 4 and the National League Championship series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts watches batting practice before Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Dodgers right fielder Alex Call autographs a baseball for a fan before Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
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Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani holds the NLCS MVP trophy after Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — You don’t tug on Superman’s cape.
The buzzing of doubt was thick around Shohei Ohtani after a 1-for-18 National League Division Series and a 2-for-11 start to the NL Championship Series, enough to make Ohtani sound a little annoyed by the tone of the questions at a press conference on Wednesday.
He swatted those doubts away Friday as only he can.
Making his first pitching start since Game 1 of the NL Division Series, Ohtani struck out the side in the top of the first inning then led off the bottom of the first by slamming a 446-foot home run. He didn’t give up a hit until the fourth inning, hit a second home run even farther, added a third home run and struck out 10 while taking a shutout into the seventh inning as the Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-1, on Thursday night, completing a sweep of the NLCS.
If Ohtani’s 6-for-6, three-home run game to create the 50/50 club last year might have been the greatest offensive game ever, Thursday’s two-way domination has to be considered for status as the greatest postseason performance.
“Sometimes you’ve got to check yourself and touch him to make sure he’s not just made of steel,” said first baseman Freddie Freeman, last season’s World Series MVP. “Absolutely incredible. Biggest stage, and he goes out and does something like that. It’ll probably be remembered as the Shohei Ohtani game.”
Pitching coach Mark Prior said it was the kind of performance you might see “probably like (in) the Little League World Series” not at the major-league level.
“That stuff ends usually in high school,” Prior said. “It’s unbelievable.”
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman didn’t hesitate, calling it “the greatest postseason performance ever.”
“I think there’s no question about it,” Friedman said. “Through four innings I texted our Slack thread and said, ‘This is the greatest four innings ever played in postseason history by a major-league player. The greatest four innings ever.’ Then he hits another home run. ‘The greatest six innings ever. Seven innings.’ There’s no question it was the greatest postseason performance ever.
“He woke up this morning with people questioning him and 12 hours later he’s standing on the podium as the NLCS MVP. It speaks volumes about the game he had and the talent he has.”
There were none of those doubts in the Dodgers’ dugout.
“You guys asked me yesterday and I said I was expecting nothing short of incredible today. And he proved me wrong. He went beyond incredible,” third baseman Max Muncy said. “I don’t know what I saw today. That was beyond incredible. The first home run, I didn’t think he could top that then he hits one literally out of the stadium. … It went over the roof, which means it came really close to hitting the scoreboard. I’ve played a lot of games here. I’ve never seen a ball go that far. I know Statcast said 460 feet, but Statcast is wrong. That ball was at least 500 feet.”
“There’s only one person who can do that in the world, and in the history of this game, and it’s him,” Kiké Hernandez said.
With that, the Dodgers are going to the World Series for the fifth time in the past nine years, the Brewers having offered minimal resistance in the NLCS. The Dodgers are the first defending champion to make it back to the World Series since the Philadelphia Phillies won it all in 2008 then lost to the New York Yankees in the 2009 World Series.
The Dodgers will try to become the first team to win consecutive World Series titles since the Yankees in 1998-2000 when this year’s Series begins next Friday – in Toronto if the Blue Jays win the American League pennant, or in Los Angeles if the Seattle Mariners do (The Mariners lead the ALCS 3-2 with Game 6 scheduled for Sunday night in Toronto).
“This is a one-team, one-dream operation,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on the podium, raising the NL championship trophy. “Before this season they were saying the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Let’s get four more wins and really ruin baseball.”
They arrive at a World Series appearance that seemed to be fore-ordained by their $400 million payroll and accumulation of talent with as much momentum as ever. They have won nine of 10 postseason games and 24 of their past 30 overall.
“Every year in spring training, every team probably has a similar speech,” Muncy said. “‘We’re here to work. Our goal is to win the World Series.’ The reality of it is, there’s only a couple of teams where that’s the truth. With us, that’s the truth every single year. Our goal is to win the World Series. That’s what we expect. Anything less than that is a failure.
“For us, showing up to spring this year it was, ‘Hey, we need to repeat.’ It wasn’t like we wanted to repeat. It was like, ‘Hey, we need to repeat.’”
Asked why it was “need to repeat” and not just want to repeat, Muncy said, “Because that’s just how good we are.”
The six-day layoff before Game 1 of the World Series figures to provide more of a challenge to that momentum than the Brewers did despite their status as MLB’s winningest team during the regular season. Dodgers pitching held the Brewers to four runs on 14 hits in the four-game sweep.
Ohtani walked Brice Turang to start the game, luring the Brewers into believing he might be human. He struck out the next three to sow doubt and didn’t give up a hit until Jackson Chourio led off the fourth inning with a ground-rule double.
Ohtani took care of that threat with a ground out and two more strikeouts. He walked the first batter in the seventh inning and gave up a single, ending his night on the mound at 100 pitches with no runs, only two hits and three walks allowed. He left the mound to a stadium-shaking ovation.
“I really focused on, first of all, first and foremost, as a starting pitcher to make sure I’m an effective starting pitcher,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “On the hitting side, looking at the whole entire team, we will see that at times the right-handed hitters picked us up. And on the flip side, sometimes the left-handed hitters picked us up. So in a sense we’re just trying to find the right balance.”
His first home run was part of a three-run first inning for the Dodgers. Mookie Betts, Will Smith and Tommy Edman had singles to produce one run and another scored on Teoscar Hernandez’s slow ground out to first.
Lightning struck again with two outs in the fourth when Brewers reliever Chad Patrick fell behind, 3-and-1, to Ohtani. He threw a cutter that was actually off the plate inside. It was nearly hit off the planet.
Ohtani crushed it, sending it over the pavilion roof in right field, an estimated 469 feet (which didn’t seem to do it justice). The ball left his bat at 116.9 mph, topping the 116.5 mph of his first home run and leaving teammates in the dugout throwing their arms to the sky in amazement. The ball bounced off the pavilion roof and into a bush near some tables where startled fans were eating.
“That’s the farthest ball I’ve ever seen hit,” Muncy said. “I’ve seen a lot of games here at Dodger Stadium and that’s not even close. It’s the farthest ball I’ve ever seen hit.
“It’s kind of funny. There wasn’t one person in the dugout that didn’t think he was going to hit a home run. He hits the second one and we’re all talking, ‘Is this the single greatest game anyone has ever played?’ Everyone at the same time just said, ‘You know he’s going to hit another one.’”
He did.
In the seventh inning, Ohtani made it a threesome, sending a 99-mph fastball from Trevor Megill out to left center. The three home runs covered 1,342 feet – a little over a quarter-mile. A pitcher had hit three home runs in a game (any game, regular or postseason) just once before – Jim Tobin of the Boston Braves in May 1932.
“There was a lot of talk that he was scuffling at the plate, he doesn’t swing the bat well when he’s pitching. And all those things I think were fuel to his fire,” Roberts said. “So today when he took the mound, you can see the focus, the intent. And after that shutdown first inning, just the at-bat right there, you could see that he was smelling a really good night tonight.”
Ohtani, a three-time league MVP who is favored to win a fourth next month, is the 12th player to hit three homers in a postseason game and the first since Chris Taylor did it for the Dodgers in October 2021.
“We’re like the (Chicago) Bulls and he’s Michael Jordan,” Betts said.
Freddie Freeman was in disbelief at Shohei Ohtani’s performance when he caught up with @LaurenShehadi 😆 pic.twitter.com/KkcpVZD9V1
— TNT Sports U.S. (@TNTSportsUS) October 18, 2025
Originally Published: October 17, 2025 at 8:27 PM PDT