Ohtani Hits 3 HRs as Dodgers Sweep Brewers to Clinch World Series Berth — Deep Report
Lede: Shohei Ohtani produced one of the most extraordinary two-way performances in baseball history on Friday night — three home runs at the plate and 10 strikeouts over six scoreless innings on the mound — powering the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5–1 win that completed a four-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers and sent L.A. back to the World Series. Reuters+1
Game snapshot
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Final: Dodgers 5, Brewers 1 (NLCS Game 4, Oct. 17, 2025). ESPN.com
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Ohtani (W, NLCS MVP): 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 10 K on the mound; 3 HRs at the plate (1st, 4th, 7th). He homered to lead off the game, slugged a second that left Dodger Stadium, and added a third in the seventh. Reuters+1
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Series: Dodgers sweep the Brewers, 4–0, to win the National League pennant and advance to the World Series. Sportsnet.ca
How the night unfolded
From the first pitch, Ohtani set the tone. He opened the game with a leadoff homer, answering Milwaukee’s starter and immediately energizing Dodger Stadium. On the mound he mixed a mid-90s fastball, a sharp splitter and a biting breaking ball, retiring big chunks of the Brewers lineup while piling up punch-outs. His second homer cleared the roof of the Right Field Pavilion, and his third came later to salt the game away. The Dodgers built an early lead and leaned on Ohtani’s performance to close the series. Yahoo Sports+1
Historical significance & records
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Multiple outlets called it one of the greatest individual postseason games ever: Ohtani became the first pitcher in MLB history to combine a three-home-run night with double-digit strikeouts in the same game (regular season or postseason). That two-way dominance on a championship-clinching night is unprecedented in the modern era. Reuters+1
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The performance cements Ohtani’s unique place in baseball lore — a legitimate two-way star capable of altering a series both offensively and as a starter. Analysts immediately compared the night to other single-game legends, but few (if any) have matched the two-way dimensions. FanGraphs Baseball+1
Manager and clubhouse reactions
Dodgers manager and teammates praised Ohtani’s composure and the way he delivered in the biggest moments; opposing manager Pat Murphy called it “perhaps the greatest individual postseason game ever,” and Dodgers personnel highlighted how rare it is to get such production from one player on both sides of the ball. Reuters+1
What it means for the World Series
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Dodgers outlook: L.A. will enter the World Series with momentum and a rotation that — with Ohtani available as a bona fide top starter in addition to his lineup value — presents matchup headaches for any American League opponent. The Dodgers are aiming to repeat as champions. Sportsnet.ca
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Possible opponents: The Dodgers will face the winner of the ALCS between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays (Seattle held a 3–2 lead at the time of reporting). Preparations for the World Series will now pivot to opponent scouting and pitcher availability. New York Post+1
Tactical takeaways
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On the mound: Ohtani’s mix and command neutralized Milwaukee’s strengths; his 10 strikeouts over six innings limited the Brewers’ ability to mount rallies. That kind of dominance from a starter short-circuits opponent game plans. Reuters
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At the plate: Three homers in a single postseason game — and a leadoff shot — forced Milwaukee into a reactive mode early; the offensive cushion allowed the Dodgers to let Ohtani attack from the mound without exposing him to high-leverage relief situations later in the game. KSL
Broader context for Ohtani’s career
This performance adds a hallmark achievement to Ohtani’s resume: earlier seasons and postseason moments already showcased his rare skillset, but a clinching, all-time game like this will stand out in Hall-of-Fame arguments, highlight reels and legacy discussions for years. It is both a peak individual night and a definitive team contribution. Dodger Insider+1
Stat box (selected)
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Ohtani: 3 HR, 1 BB, 2 H allowed (as pitcher), 10 K, 6.0 IP. NLCS MVP. ESPN.com+1
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Team offense: Dodgers 5 R, 11 H. Brewers 1 R, 3 H. ESPN.com
What to watch next
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World Series pitching matchups and whether Ohtani will be used as both starter and designated hitter at any point in the Fall Classic — managers must weigh rest, matchup advantages and durability. FanGraphs Baseball
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Dodgers’ bullpen usage and health updates, given the short turn between postseason series.
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ALCS outcome — scouting the Mariners or Blue Jays will determine game-plan specifics (e.g., which Ohtani matchups favor L.A.). Yahoo Sports
Sources (selected)
AP, Reuters, ESPN, MLB.com and multiple sports outlets reporting on the NLCS Game 4 and Ohtani’s historic night. AP News+2Reuters+2
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