Shohei Ohtani Stuns Again: Unbelievable NLCS Game 4 Performance Sparks Wild Speculation

There’s just no getting accustomed to Shohei Ohtani — and honestly, why would we want to? As he stands on the precipice of a second World Series title and a fourth MVP trophy, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ phenom pulls off feats that not long ago felt like fantasy. Imagine this: striking out three batters and then, as if that wasn’t enough, smashing a home run all in the same inning. It’s something that defies the usual baseball script, rewriting what we thought was possible on the diamond.

In the opening frame of Game 4 versus the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani took the mound for just his second postseason start — and boy, did he set the tone. After navigating a leadoff walk, he slammed the door shut with three consecutive strikeouts against the heart of the Brewers’ lineup. Jackson Chourio was frozen by a 100.3 mph heater; Christian Yelich couldn’t budge against a 100.2 mph fastball; and Will Contreras was ghosted on three pitches, the last a wicked 87.6 mph curveball. Yet, unlike any other starter in the league, Ohtani’s job wasn’t done. He donned his batting helmet and sent a leadoff homer sailing 446 feet at a blistering 115.6 mph into right field at Dodger Stadium — making history as the first MLB pitcher ever to launch a leadoff home run in either regular or postseason play.

That blast was more than just a display of power; it was a statement. Following that, hits from Mookie Betts and Will Smith piled on to give L.A. an early 3-0 edge. Though Ohtani’s postseason numbers haven’t dazzled outright, the Brewers have treated him like a maniacal threat, pitching to him with relentless caution. Still, he finally cracked through Friday with his first long ball since the wild-card round, digging a deep hole for Milwaukee in a must-win contest. With the Dodgers already holding a 3-0 series lead, this wasn’t just impressive — it was merciless. There really has never been anyone quite like Shohei Ohtani.

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We should never get used to Shohei Ohtani.

Even as he’s on the verge of a second World Series and fourth MVP award, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar found a way to once again do something that felt impossible before he reached MLB. Like striking out three guys then homering in the same inning.

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In the first inning of Game 4 against the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani took the mound for his second career postseason start and worked around a leadoff walk with three straight strikeouts against the most dangerous part of the Dodgers lineup.

Jackson Chourio? He went down swinging on a 100.3 mph fastball. Christian Yelich? Frozen on a 100.2 mph fastball. William Conteras? Wiped out on three pitches, the last of them a nasty 87.6 mph sweeper.

Unlike every other starting pitcher in MLB, Ohtani’s responsibilities didn’t end after throwing a scoreless first inning. He proceeded to don a batting helmet and hit a leadoff homer off Brewers counterpart José Quintana.

And by “hit” we mean he demolished the ball 446 feet and 115.6 mph deep into the right-field pavilion at Dodger Stadium.

Per MLB.com’s Sarah Langs, Ohtani is the first MLB pitcher to hit a leadoff home run in history, regular season or postseason.

The bad times continued for Quintana and the Brewers after that long ball, as hits from Mookie Betts and Will Smith set up two more runs to give L.A. a 3-0 lead by the end of the first inning.

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 17: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run in the first inning during Game Four of the National League Championship Series presented by loanDepot between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, October 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) — There has never been a player like Shohei Ohtani. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

(Rob Leiter via Getty Images)

Ohtani hasn’t had the best postseason, but that hasn’t stopped the Brewers from treating him like a Barry Bonds-level threat. They have thrown left-handers at him at every opportunity, trying to prevent him from getting hot.

And on Friday, he broke through with his first homer since the wild-card round, to single-handedly put Milwaukee in a hole to begin a must-win game. With the Dodgers already up 3-0 this series after a trio of gems from their rotation, that’s just mean.