Ohtani hits 3 HRs as Dodgers sweep Brewers to clinch World Series berth
Shohei Ohtani hit three home runs Friday as the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Brewers to advance to the World Series for the second time in two years.
The Dodgers won the National League championship at home on Friday with a 5-1 victory over Milwaukee. The victory secures the team’s spot in the World Series, but its opponent has not yet been decided.
The Dodgers took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, with Ohtani hitting a leadoff home run, and never lost it. Ohtani crushed a second home run in the fourth inning, sending the ball 469 feet and over the roof of the park.
Ohtani, also a pitcher, struck out 10 and allowed only two hits until he was relieved in the top of the seventh.
The home crowd chanted “MVP” during his next at-bat – and Ohtani then hit his third home run of the night.
“It was really fun on both sides of the ball today,” Ohtani, a native of Japan, said through a translator after the team was crowned league champions. “As a representative, I win this trophy and let’s have four more victories.”
In the American League, the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays are battling for the championship and their spot in the World Series. The Mariners lead 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, with a 6-2 victory Friday.
The Dodgers will be looking for their third World Series title since 2020.
The Dodgers finished first in the NL West this season, edging the San Diego Padres by three games to win the division.
Despite finishing slightly behind last year’s regular season, the Dodgers dominated the postseason. They swept the Cincinnati Reds 2-0 in the wild card round before beating the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1 in the divisional round.
While the Dodgers’ high-cost lineup hit well — they entered Friday second among postseason teams with a .254 average — the pitching staff particularly shined in October.
Entering Friday’s Game 4, Los Angeles had the best ERA of 2.60 of all remaining playoff teams, as well as the best WHIP (1.02) and best opponent batting average (0.174).
Starting pitcher Blake Snell has been the team’s most effective starter thus far. He is 3-0 in three postseason starts with 28 strikeouts in just 21 innings pitched and a tiny 0.86 ERA.
The Dodgers’ berth in the World Series continues a streak of NL dominance that dates back to the previous decade.
After appearing in zero World Series from 1989 to 2016, the Dodgers have appeared in the Fall Classic five times since 2017. After losing in consecutive years in 2017 and 2018, the Dodgers won championships in 2020 and 2024.
The Dodgers were willing to spend for their recent success. The Dodgers’ payroll this season is approximately $350.3 million, the most expensive roster in MLB.
Ohtani’s teammates, no slouches themselves, said they were impressed with Ohtani’s performance Friday.
“Oh man, that was special,” Dodgers first baseman and nine-time All Star Freddie Freeman said after the victory. “We’ve been playing really good baseball for a while now, and the inevitable happened today with Shohei – Oh my God, I’m still speechless.”
Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell was asked Friday night after the win what impressed him more, Ohtani’s 10 strikeouts or three home runs, and he didn’t hesitate.
“All three home runs,” Snell said. “It was crazy.”
Despite Friday night’s fireworks, Ohtani said the Dodgers, as a team, won the championship and are headed to the World Series.
“We won it as a team, and it was definitely a team effort,” he said. “So I hope that everyone in Los Angeles, Japan and all over the world can enjoy really good sake.”
