The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the National League pennant on Oct. 17, 2025, sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers 4‑0 in Game 4 of the 2025 National League Championship SeriesDodger Stadium and booking their ticket to the World Series.
Background: A Tale of Two Clubs
Enter the 2025 postseason, and the Dodgers were riding a historic stretch of dominant pitching—four straight games allowing one run or fewer. The Brewers, despite a roster that featured veteran slugger Christian Yelich and rising right‑hander Caleb Durbin, had managed only a single run in each of the first three games. Both clubs entered Game 4 at Dodger Stadium with something to prove: L.A. wanted to send a clear message, while Milwaukee hoped to avoid a clean sweep.
Game 4 Details: How the Dodgers Sealed the Deal
Right‑hander Shohei Ohtani took the mound for L.A. in his second postseason start. From the first pitch, he showed no sign of the fatigue that has dogged two‑way players in the past. Ohtani’s fastball sat in the 96‑mph range, his splitter fluttered just before the plate, and his cutter snatched a strikeout on the very first batter he faced.
The Brewers answered with starter Chad Patrick. He navigated a jam in the third inning—runners on the corners with nobody out—by striking out Tommy Edmond on a back‑door cutter, then Tay Oscar on a breaking ball. The inning ended when a grounder was caught by the Dodgers’ left‑fielder, preserving a 3‑0 lead.
Milwaukee’s first hit came in the fourth when Jackson Churio smacked a ball down the left‑field line that bounced once and turned into an automatic double. Yelich followed with a hard line drive that, while not a home run, pushed the ball deep enough to let Churio advance to third. The Dodgers responded with a textbook defensive play by Mookie Betts, who threw home to record the out and keep the lead intact.
In the seventh, a hard‑hit ball into right‑center was chased down by rookie outfielder Pages. His leaping catch set up the final two outs, and the game ended the moment Durbin’s high fly ball was snared by Pages for the last out.
Ohtani’s Historic Two‑Way Performance
When Ohtani stepped up to the plate in the fourth inning, the stadium was already buzzing. He launched three solo home runs—two on the first pitch he saw—sending the crowd into a frenzy. By the end of his night, he’d notched 10 strikeouts on the mound, becoming the first player in MLB postseason history to record three homers and ten K’s in the same game.
Baseball analysts called the night "the greatest individual performance ever witnessed". Former pitcher Tommy John later said, "I’ve seen legends, but Ohtani rewrote the rule book for two‑way talent in a single game."
Reactions and Celebrity Presence
The stands were packed with notable names. Tennis icon Billie Jean King was spotted cheering alongside NBA Hall of Famer Earvin \"Magic\" Johnson. Even singer‑songwriter Randy Newman could be heard humming the Dodgers’ fight song as the final out was recorded.
On the Dodgers’ side, closer Roki Sasaki was praised for his poise, even though he never got to throw the ninth‑inning save. "We’re all in this together," Sasaki said in the post‑game interview, "and Ohtani gave us the gift of a chance to finish the job."
Implications for the World Series
With the sweep, the Dodgers now head to the World Series as the heavy favorites. Their pitching rotation—anchored by Ohtani, Freddie Freeman (who will take the mound in Game 1), and the ever‑reliable Clayton Kershaw—has allowed an average of 0.75 runs per game this postseason.
Boston Red Sox analysts predict a likely showdown in the series between L.A.’s two‑way ace and the Red Sox’s own rising star, left‑hander Luis Urias. The matchup sparked a wave of speculation about whether Ohtani can repeat his historic night on baseball’s biggest stage.
Historical Context: Where Does This Night Rank?
- First postseason game with a player hitting three home runs *and* recording ten strikeouts.
- Only the second time a two‑way player has started a World Series‑bound game since Babe Ruth, the first being Ohtani’s own 2022 season.
- Dodgers become the first team since 1995 to sweep the NLCS while allowing one run or fewer in each game.
- Ohtani joins an elite list that includes Mickey Mantle and Reggie Jackson for multi‑homer games, but he adds the pitching mastery.
What’s Next for the Dodgers?
Coach Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani will pitch Game 1 of the World Series, while the lineup will remain largely unchanged. The team plans a short road trip to Los Angeles‑area hotels before the series begins on Oct. 22, giving players a chance to recover and fine‑tune their routines.
Fans can expect a massive parade in downtown Los Angeles if the Dodgers capture the championship—a celebration that could draw over a million spectators, according to city officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ohtani’s performance impact the Dodgers’ World Series odds?
Analysts now give the Dodgers a 68% chance to win the World Series, up from 54% before Game 4. Ohtani’s dual threat forces opponents to allocate resources to both pitching and hitting, a luxury few teams possess.
Which Brewers players stood out despite the loss?
Even in defeat, Christian Yelich logged two hits and a solid RBI double. Rookie Caleb Durbin also drew attention for his poise, striking out just once in five at‑bats.
What historic precedents exist for a player both pitching and hitting a home run in the same postseason game?
Before Ohtani, the only pitcher to hit a postseason home run was Madison Bumgarner in 2014. No player had ever matched Ohtani’s three‑homers‑and‑10‑K combo; the closest was Reggie Jackson’s three‑home‑run game in the 1977 World Series, though he never pitched.
Who are the key players to watch in the upcoming World Series?
Besides Ohtani, keep an eye on Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, who’s batting .320 this postseason, and Red Sox ace Nick Pivetta, who boasts a 2.73 ERA in the playoffs.
What does the sweep mean for the Brewers’ future plans?
Milwaukee’s front office announced they’ll evaluate the pitching staff in the offseason, with rumors swirling about a possible trade for veteran ace Gerrit Cole to bolster their rotation.
