Shohei Ohtani: A One-Man Show of Power and Precision Turns Game 4 of the NLCS Into a Masterpiece for the Dodgers | AP News
Imagine witnessing a baseball icon who dominates from the pitcher's mound with lightning-fast strikes, only to step to the plate and launch thunderous home runs that leave fans breathless. Shohei Ohtani did exactly that in an electrifying display for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday evening, delivering a performance in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series that had everyone talking. But here's where it gets controversial: Is this level of dominance from a two-way player fair to the game, or does it redefine what it means to be a modern athlete? Stick around, because this night wasn't just about stats—it was about history in the making.
In a dazzling showcase at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani not only silenced the Milwaukee Brewers' lineup with a shutout performance that lasted into the seventh inning but also unleashed three home runs as a hitter. For those new to baseball, a shutout means the pitcher doesn't allow any runs, and Ohtani kept it scoreless until Milwaukee finally threatened late. The defending champion Dodgers, aiming to clinch a four-game sweep and advance to the World Series, rode Ohtani's brilliance to a 4-0 victory.
Ohtani's pitching prowess shone through as he racked up 10 strikeouts, allowing just two hits and issuing a single walk. He mixed blazing 100 mph fastballs with sharp, deceptive breaking pitches that baffled Brewers hitters like Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich, and William Contreras. And this is the part most people miss: Ohtani's effectiveness wasn't just talent; it was preparation. With only three Brewers having faced him before, he leveraged that freshness to his advantage, as Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy noted, "It’s always a little advantage to the pitcher when they haven’t seen you before. But they’re 170 games in. They understand that you’re not facing Shohei, you’re facing the ball." This highlights how Ohtani's unique dual role—pitching and hitting—adds an extra layer of strategy to the game.
But the real fireworks happened when Ohtani traded his glove for a bat. He became the first pitcher in major league history to hit a leadoff home run, crushing a 446-foot shot to right field off Brewers starter Jose Quintana right out of the gate. This monumental moment also marked the first time a pitcher recorded three strikeouts and a home run in the same inning during postseason play, a feat not seen since Huascar Ynoa did it for Atlanta in 2021—before the National League adopted the designated hitter rule full-time. For beginners, a leadoff home run means the first batter of the inning hits a home run, setting an immediate tone, and in this case, it was historic.
Ohtani didn't stop there. In the fourth inning, he blasted a 469-foot drive off a low, inside cutter from Chad Patrick, with the ball soaring at 116.9 mph off his bat and seemingly clearing the pavilion roof in right-center field. This made him the first Dodgers player to have two multi-home run games in a single postseason. Then, in the seventh, he added a solo home run, cementing his place among legends. Collectively, his three homers traveled 1,342 feet, elevating him to the 12th player ever to hit three in a postseason game, and the first since Chris Taylor accomplished it for the Dodgers in October 2021—though Kiké Hernández also did it for the team in the 2017 NLCS.
What makes this even more remarkable is Ohtani's comeback from a slump. Before this game, he was struggling at the plate, going 6-for-38 as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter in the postseason, with his last home run dating back to September 30. Yet, he snapped out of it dramatically, ending an eight-game drought since his two homers in the Wild Card Series against Cincinnati. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had predicted something special: "I think this is his opportunity to make his mark on this series, and so we’re going to see his best effort. I feel good that he’s pitching for us, and there’s going to be some serious focus and compete tonight."
Ohtani's two-way responsibilities—preparing for both pitching and hitting—demand immense physical and mental effort, yet he didn't blame his early struggles on that. He'd pitched in only two games over the past 30 days due to the Dodgers' schedule, allowing him to focus. Still, the controversy lingers: Is asking one player to excel in two roles too much, potentially risking injury or burnout? Some argue it adds excitement, like a chess master playing both sides, while others worry it could dilute the specialization that makes baseball great. Ohtani himself paused to admire his first home run, a "no-doubt" shot, and the crowd's disbelief at his second underscored the night's magic.
On the mound, Ohtani exited after 100 pitches in the seventh, following a walk to Yelich and a single by Contreras, handing the ball to reliever Alex Vesia, who preserved the lead. This was Ohtani's second postseason start, building on his earlier success in the Division Series against Philadelphia, where he struck out nine over six innings. The Dodgers' rotation as a whole has been unstoppable, holding opponents to a .173 average in September and allowing just 10 earned runs in nine postseason games.
Roki Sasaki, the rookie reliever who's become the Dodgers' go-to closer, was ready in the bullpen and has been stellar with three saves in six playoff appearances. This team's depth makes their push for the World Series feel inevitable.
In summary, Ohtani's night was a blend of historic hitting and dominant pitching that redefined possibilities in baseball. But what do you think? Should players like Ohtani be limited to one role to keep the game balanced, or does his versatility make it more thrilling? Do you believe his workload is sustainable long-term? Share your opinions in the comments—let's debate this game's future!
