Shohei Ohtani had himself a Friday night. The kind where you’re telling your grandkids about it someday. He crushed three home runs as the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1, and just like that, LA’s back in the World Series for the second year running.
Right from the first inning, Ohtani launched a leadoff bomb that got everyone out of their seats. The Dodgers jumped ahead 3-0 early and Milwaukee couldn’t find an answer. Thing is, Ohtani was just getting warmed up.
Fourth inning rolls around, and he sends another one flying—469 feet, clear over the roof of the park. People in the stands were pointing at the sky trying to figure out where it landed. By the seventh, fans were already chanting “MVP” before his next at-bat. And what does he do? Crushes his third home run of the night. Unreal.
Here’s the kicker though—Ohtani wasn’t just swinging the bat Friday. He was on the mound too, and dealing. Struck out 10 batters, gave up only two hits before they pulled him at the top of the seventh. When’s the last time you saw someone do both at this level? Yeah, probably never.
After the team was crowned league champs, Ohtani spoke through an interpreter. “It was really fun on both sides of the ball today,” he said. Coming from Japan as a representative, he’s “taking this trophy, and let’s get four more wins.” Guy’s not satisfied with just getting there.
Freddie Freeman, the first baseman who’s been to nine All Star games, tried putting words to it: “Oh man, that was special. We’ve just been playing really good baseball for a while now, and the inevitable happened today with Shohei—Oh my God, I’m still speechless.” When a player of Freeman’s caliber can’t find words, you know it was something else.
Blake Snell, their starting pitcher, got asked which impressed him more—10 strikeouts or three home runs. Didn’t even pause. “The three home runs. That was crazy.”
The Dodgers have torn through October. Swept the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 in the wild card round. Beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 in the divisional round. Now they’ve knocked off Milwaukee to advance for the second time in two years.
Their pitching staff especially shined entering Game 4. Best ERA among remaining playoff teams at 2.60. They’re holding opponents to a .174 batting average with a 1.02 WHIP. Blake Snell’s been their most effective starter—went 3-0 in three postseason starts, fanned 28 in just 21 innings pitched. His 0.86 ERA is minuscule, bordering on ridiculous.
Meanwhile, the highly-priced lineup’s been hitting well. Entered Friday second among postseason teams with a .254 average. Pitching’s dominant, bats are alive—that’s how you get back to the Fall Classic.
Los Angeles finished first in the NL West this season, edging out the San Diego Padres by three games to win the division. Were they slightly behind last year’s pace in the regular season? Sure. Does anyone care now? Nope.
What we’re seeing continues a run of NL dominance that stretches back to the previous decade. The Dodgers went from appearing in zero World Series between 1989 and 2016 to making the Fall Classic five times since 2017. They lost back-to-back years in 2017 and 2018, which hurt. Then took home championships in 2020 and 2024. Now they’re looking for their third title since 2020.
LA’s been willing to spend on recent success. This season’s payroll reached roughly $350.3 million—most expensive roster in MLB. When you’re writing checks that big, you better deliver. Their teammates are no slouches either, and right now everything’s clicking.
American League Still Battling
Who LA faces isn’t clear yet. The Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays are still battling for the championship spot over in the American League. Mariners lead 3-2 in the best-of-seven series after winning 6-2 Friday. One more W and Seattle’s headed to face the Dodgers.
Despite all the fireworks Friday night, Ohtani made sure everyone understood something. “We won it as a team, and this was really a team effort,” he said. “So I hope everybody in L.A. and Japan and all over the world can enjoy a really good sake.” Guy hits three dingers and still gives credit to his teammates.
This is the second time in two years the Dodgers advance to baseball’s ultimate stage. Last October didn’t finish how they drew it up. But watching them now, something feels different. They’ve got that hungry look, and Ohtani just proved he’s ready to carry them all the way.
