The Dodgers Clinched the National League Pennant and a return trip to the World Series on Friday evening when they defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 in game 4, sweeping the NLCS. It’s possible that Shohei Ohtani’s incredible individual performance may have overshadowed the Dodgers winning their second consecutive National League championship. Ohtani smashed three home runs, with one home run landing in the Dodger Stadium parking lot, and he pitched six shutout innings while striking out 10, en route to winning the NLCS MVP.
This was a statement. Ohtani, who had been struggling in the series up until this game sent a strong message to the rest of the world. This is his team. These are the Shohei Ohtani Dodgers. Move out of the way, or he’s going to run you over.
And that’s just what he did single handedly to the Brewers on Friday night at Chavez Ravine. Ohtani led off the game by striking out the side in the top of the first, after walking lead-off hitter Brice Turang. Then he smashed the first of his three home runs in the bottom half of the first inning.
Three strikeouts for Shohei in the first! pic.twitter.com/o1Wt8ovATU
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 18, 2025
Homering after just striking out three batters? Only Shohei. pic.twitter.com/6ehcpW6v9L
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 18, 2025
SHOHEI OHTANI HITS ONE OUT OF DODGER STADIUM. pic.twitter.com/LC93DjY27U
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 18, 2025
SHOHEI OHTANI, YOU ARE INCREDIBLE! pic.twitter.com/jythqTWUI4
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 18, 2025
Mookie Betts and Will Smith both singled, and Mookie scored on a Tommy Edman RBI single. Teoscar Hernandez’s ground ball scored Smith giving the Dodgers an early 3-0 lead. They would never relinquish.
In the bottom of the fourth, Ohtani hit his second home run, a 469 foot tape measure blast that landed over the pavilion roof into the Dodger Stadium parking lot. Then in the bottom of the seventh, Ohtani smashed his third home run off of Trevor Megill. That one stayed inside the Stadium, but made history for Ohtani.
On the pitching side, Ohtani destroyed Milwaukee, tossing six innings, allowing just two hits, three walks and striking out ten batters. Ohtani was hooked in the top of the seventh after allowing a walk to Christian Yelich, and a ground ball single to William Contreras. Left hander Alex Vesia came into the game and got Andrew Vaughn to pop out and Sal Frelick to hit into an inning ending double play.
Newly minted closer Rokie Sasaki pitched the top of the ninth to close out the series. Caleb Durbin’s deep fly out to right field was the final out as Andy Pages recorded the play, and the Dodgers won the pennant.
The Dodgers are heading back to the World Series! pic.twitter.com/yCOowVw0Km
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 18, 2025
Dave Roberts did not hold back after the Dodgers won the Pennant pic.twitter.com/59rrHabtF0
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 18, 2025
While Ohtani’s home run is still orbiting Jupiter, the National League trophy was presented to the Dodgers. Ohtani won the NLCS MVP, for this out of this world performance. As Dave Roberts put it best during the trophy presentation, let’s win four more games and ruin baseball. You Damn right Doc.
Your 2025 #NLCS MVP: Shohei Ohtani! pic.twitter.com/mC4Tl3ZY0H
— MLB (@MLB) October 18, 2025
