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Shohei Ohtani's Historic NLCS Performance: A Game for the Ages

10/18/2025
In a stunning display of talent, Shohei Ohtani led the Dodgers to an NLCS sweep with three home runs and a dominant pitching performance, making history in the process.
Shohei Ohtani's Historic NLCS Performance: A Game for the Ages
Shohei Ohtani's unforgettable NLCS performance included three home runs and ten strikeouts, solidifying his place in baseball history.

Shohei Ohtani's Unforgettable Batting Practice and NLCS Performance

Just two days before what many are calling the greatest game in baseball history, Shohei Ohtani captivated fans and teammates alike with a remarkable round of batting practice at Dodger Stadium. The session began with a swing-and-miss, as Ohtani playfully engaged with his walk-up song. His teammates watched from the dugout, filled with anxious anticipation. What followed was nothing short of spectacular. Ohtani transitioned from nondescript line drives to an incredible display of power, hitting a staggering 14 home runs in just 32 swings, with several soaring over the fence and even clanging off the roof of the right-field pavilion.

“He didn’t disappoint,” said Max Muncy, reflecting on Ohtani’s astonishing performance. “He hit a ball out of the stadium.” This batting practice occurred on an off day between Games 2 and 3 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS). After struggling in his previous seven games, Ohtani had only managed two hits in 25 at-bats, resulting in 12 strikeouts and growing public scrutiny over his performance.

Ohtani's Response to Criticism

As whispers of his declining swing mechanics and quality of at-bats circulated, Ohtani appeared unusually affected. Team manager Dave Roberts noted that the mounting pressure fueled Ohtani's determination to turn things around. Recognizing the need for a change, Ohtani reached out to the club's hitting coaches during a flight home from Milwaukee, requesting a unique batting practice on the field, reflecting his urgency to regain his form. When he arrived at the ballpark, he jokingly addressed his slump during a pre-workout news conference before unleashing a memorable batting practice session.

A Historic NLCS Performance

Two days later, Ohtani delivered a performance that will be etched in baseball history. In a decisive 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, Ohtani showcased his extraordinary abilities, hitting three home runs and pitching over six scoreless innings with ten strikeouts. “That was probably the greatest postseason performance of all time,” Roberts asserted, while teammate Kiké Hernández dubbed it an “ultimate unicorn move.”

In a historic moment, Ohtani became the first pitcher in MLB history to lead off a game with a home run, launching a 446-foot bomb into the right-field pavilion. He continued to dazzle by escaping a significant threat in the fourth inning with consecutive strikeouts before hitting another towering home run, this time a staggering 469 feet. Exiting the mound with no outs in the seventh inning, Ohtani had already transformed a challenging night into an unforgettable one by becoming only the 12th player in postseason history to hit three home runs in a single game.

The Significance of Ohtani's Performance

“He woke up this morning with people questioning him,” remarked Andrew Friedman, Dodgers' president of baseball operations, during the post-game celebration. “And 12 hours later, he’s standing on the podium as the NLCS MVP.” This performance fulfilled the high expectations that surrounded Ohtani since he arrived in Major League Baseball, drawing comparisons to legends like Babe Ruth.

Ohtani's journey to this moment was not without obstacles, including two Tommy John surgeries and initial struggles in his major league transition. However, over the past five years, he has risen to become the face of baseball, with an impressive record of MVP awards and All-Star selections. What had been missing was a defining postseason performance that showcased his unique talent as a two-way player.

Anticipation and Execution

His teammates were well aware that a breakout was imminent, evidenced by Muncy’s pre-Game 3 prediction to “expect the incredible.” Having witnessed Ohtani’s intense batting practice session, the Dodgers felt the brewing dissatisfaction within him. “Today when he took the mound, you could see the focus, the intent,” Roberts commented.

Ohtani’s pitching performance began with some shaky command, but he quickly regained his dominance by recording three consecutive strikeouts. Following his first home run shortly after, Muncy recalled thinking, “All right, it’s gonna be that kind of night.” His second home run exceeded even the expectations set by his earlier batting practice, leaving teammates in awe as the ball sailed over the right-field pavilion roof.

A Night for the Ages

As Ohtani found his rhythm with his splitter, he struck out nine consecutive batters from the fourth through the sixth inning, thrilling a crowd of 52,883 with every pitch. “He got his split going, and he was able to do whatever he wanted,” said pitching coach Mark Prior. After exiting the mound, he returned to the plate for one final time, hitting a third home run that felt almost expected among his teammates.

By the end of the night, Ohtani had solidified his place in postseason lore, being named the NLCS MVP and leading the Dodgers to their 26th pennant in franchise history, along with a return trip to the World Series. With a 9-1 postseason record and an impressive 0.63 ERA in the championship series, the Dodgers now possess a newfound confidence thanks to Ohtani's remarkable performance.

“I can’t wait for when I’m a little bit older and my kids are asking about, ‘What’s the greatest thing you’ve ever seen in baseball?’” Muncy said, expressing the sentiment shared by many. “I can’t wait to pull up this game today.”

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