On Friday night, Shohei Ohtani, the 31‑year‑old two‑way star for the Los Angeles Dodgers, turned Dodger Stadium into a showcase of pure baseball brilliance, leading the club to a 5‑1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. The win completed a four‑game sweep, clinching the NL pennant and setting up a World Series clash with the Texas Rangers.
A Night for the Ages: Ohtani’s Triple Threat
Ohtani did the unthinkable. He belted three home runs — the longest traveling a jaw‑dropping 469 feet — while also striking out ten batters over seven innings. In the seventh inning, with a runner on second and one out, he fanned a promising hitter on a full count, a moment captured at 10:52 PM PT on MLB.com’s highlight reel. After his third blast, the stadium erupted; fans shouted, "He’s rewriting the record books!" The performance was later described by ESPN analyst Jessica Mendoza as "unprecedented in postseason history."
When asked about the feat, Ohtani said, "I just wanted to give the fans something they’d remember. Every pitch and swing was for them." His calm confidence was evident even as the Dodgers’ right‑center fielder, Enrique Pages, made a clutch catch in the ninth inning that sealed the game.
How the Dodgers Dominated the Series
The Dodgers’ offense had been ticking all the boxes all series, but Game 4 was the culmination of a well‑orchestrated plan. In addition to Ohtani’s fireworks, Mookie Betts contributed a two‑run double while Freddie Freeman added an RBI single. The bullpen, overseen by closer Hiromi Sasaki, shut the door in the ninth; Sasaki struck out Caleb Durbin on a high fly ball that fell harmlessly into Pages’ glove.
Manager Dave Roberts praised his staff, noting, "Our pitching coach Mark Prior kept the guys sharp, and our hitters stayed disciplined. Ohtani gave us the spark we needed, but this is a team effort."
The Dodgers logged an attendance of 54,128, with ticket prices ranging from $75 for the upper deck to $2,500 for a premium suite. The club earned a $38,333,333 share of the postseason pool, a figure that will be a welcome addition to their already sizable payroll.
Brewers’ Struggles and Historical Context
The Brewers, managed by Pat Murphy, managed just one run in the final game and four across the entire NLCS — the lowest total for any team in a championship series since the 2018 NLCS. Their woes echo a rare MLB postseason statistic: they became one of only three teams ever to allow one or fewer runs in four straight games.
Milwaukee’s postseason disappointment is especially bitter given their first NLCS appearance since 2018. Owner Mark AttanasioBaseball historian Bill James noted, "When you look back at legendary pitching displays — Bob Gibson’s 35 strikeouts in the ’68 World Series, for instance — Ohtani’s blend of power hitting and dominant pitching in a single game may well be a once‑in‑a‑generation event."
The Dodgers now set their sights on the American League champion Texas Rangers, who will host Game 1 at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 8:08 PM Eastern.
Analysts predict a showdown of contrasting styles: a power‑laden Dodgers lineup versus the Rangers’ high‑velocity bullpen. The odds are currently favoring Los Angeles, largely because of Ohtani’s health and the depth of their bench.
Meanwhile, Ohtani’s $700 million, ten‑year contract — the biggest deal in team‑sports history — now includes a substantial postseason bonus. If the Dodgers capture the World Series, his contract could trigger a $50 million performance clause, further cementing his status as the highest‑paid athlete on the planet. Beyond the on‑field drama, the series has financial reverberations. The Dodgers’ postseason earnings catapult them past the $200 million threshold for operating profit, giving them flexibility for free‑agent signings in 2026. Conversely, the Brewers’ $22.5 million share will likely be funneled into scouting and player development initiatives.
Ohtani’s contract, signed in December 2023, includes a $10 million annual roster bonus and a $5 million incentive for each postseason win. With three NLCS victories now under his belt, he’s already collected $15 million in bonuses, a sum that will be taxed at the highest bracket but still leaves him with a net windfall.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers’ front office, led by Chairman Mark Walter and President Stan Kasten, is expected to explore extensions for key contributors while maintaining salary‑budget flexibility. Ohtani’s three‑home‑run, 10‑strikeout game dramatically boosts the Dodgers’ chances. Bookmakers have shortened the spread from +150 to +90, reflecting confidence that his two‑way dominance will continue against the Rangers. None. While Babe Ruth famously hit home runs and pitched in the 1920s, no modern player has combined a three‑homer night with a winning pitching effort in postseason play. Ohtani’s feat is therefore a first‑of‑its‑kind. The club’s $38.33 million share pushes total postseason revenue beyond $200 million, freeing up roughly $15 million for offseason free‑agent moves and setting a higher payroll ceiling for 2026. Allowing just four runs across four games ties the lowest run total ever recorded in an NLCS. Only two other teams have matched that defensive dominance, making the Brewers’ output historically poor. Game 1 kicks off on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 8:08 PM Eastern Time at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.What This Means for the World Series
Financial and Contract Implications
Frequently Asked Questions
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