Most home runs in MLB playoff game: Where Shohei Ohtani’s 3-HR game ranks in postseason history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Home runs make up many of the most storied moments in MLB postseason history, but October isn’t exactly known for offense. Pitching is the name of the game when the weather gets cooler, and it prevails more often than not after the regular season comes to an end.
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Some sluggers have found a way to break through under baseball’s biggest spotlight. A dozen hitters share the single-game postseason home run record, and the latest player to join the fray was an appropriate one: Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
On a night in which he also tossed six shutout innings and struck out 10 batters, Ohtani blasted three home runs to help the Dodgers advance to the 2025 World Series.
Here’s a look at who Ohtani joined with his legendary performance.
MORE:Inside Shohei Ohtani’s family tree
Most home runs in MLB playoff game
There have been 13 games of three home runs in MLB postseason history. Unlike the regular season, no player has ever hit four home runs in a playoff game.
Player
HR
Date
Team
Opponent
Round
Shohei Ohtani
3
Oct. 17, 2025
Dodgers
Brewers
NLCS
Chris Taylor
3
Oct. 21, 2021
Dodgers
Braves
NLCS
Kiké Hernandez
3
Oct. 19, 2017
Dodgers
Cubs
NLCS
Jose Altuve
3
Oct. 5, 2017
Astros
Red Sox
ALDS
Pablo Sandoval
3
Oct. 24, 2012
Giants
Tigers
World Series
Albert Pujols
3
Oct. 22, 2011
Cardinals
Rangers
World Series
Adrian Beltre
3
Oct. 4, 2011
Rangers
Rays
ALDS
Adam Kennedy
3
Oct. 13, 2002
Angels
Twins
ALCS
George Brett
3
Oct. 6, 1978
Royals
Yankees
ALCS
Reggie Jackson
3
Oct. 18, 1977
Yankees
Dodgers
World Series
Bob Robertson
3
Oct. 3, 1971
Pirates
Giants
NLCS
Babe Ruth
3
Oct. 9, 1928
Yankees
Cardinals
World Series
Babe Ruth
3
Oct. 6, 1926
Yankees
Cardinals
World Series
Ohtani stands with 11 other players, including Babe Ruth, who hit three home runs in a postseason game twice. The group also includes Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, George Brett and Adrian Beltre, with Albert Pujols set to join that trio in Cooperstown and Jose Altuve potentially on that path as well.
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MORE:How tall is Shohei Ohtani? Inside Dodgers stars height, weight and more
Ohtani’s 3-home run game might stand alone for one reason: he also pitched, and he pitched well. Ohtani tossed six shutout innings, allowing only two hits and striking out 10 batters to seal a trip to the World Series for the Dodgers.
Here is a look at Ohtani’s third home run:
Remarkably, five of those 13 3-home run games came in either a pennant or World Series clincher, with Ruth (1928), Jackson, Adam Kennedy and Kiké Hernandez all hitting three home runs in a series-clincher. With the Dodgers’ win, Ohtani joined that exclusive club as well.