Baseball

Dodgers reach World Series thanks to Shohei Ohtani’s career-best game
Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Dodgers reach World Series thanks to Shohei Ohtani’s career-best game
Credit: X

For years now, when asked about the most impressive performance I've had the good fortune to see in the playoffs, I always say Madison Bumgarner's ultimate game in the 2014 World Series.

You know which one I mean.

But now, because of what Shohei Ohtani did tonight, to qualify his team for the World Series, my answer may well change for the future.

It started with a three-strikeout performance in the first inning as a pitcher before hitting a home run as his team's leadoff hitter.

It was the first time in history (season or playoffs) that a pitcher hit a home run as the first batter of the game. It was also the first time a Dodgers pitcher hit a home run in the playoffs.

And he didn't choose to stop there.

In a game that sent the Dodgers to the World Series for the second year in a row, Ohtani ended up pitching six innings. He came back in the seventh, but with no outs.

He collected no fewer than 10 strikeouts without giving up a run.

Are we going to see his home runs? Because yes, he hit three… something only 10 players had done before him.

His second home run was spectacular. It was hit so far that as soon as he touched the ball, everyone knew it was a bomb. The Brewers pitcher knew it too.

His third circuit was also far away. But what made a lasting impression on the imagination was that the Japanese had finished pitching and we knew he had a quality start behind the tie.

It was the final nail in the coffin of the Brewers, who weren't brewing much tonight.

This game is reminiscent of his crazy game in Miami in 2024, when he founded the 50/50 club while qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in his Major League career. Once again, it was at an important moment that he had chosen to stand up.

But to do it in the playoffs, when he was building a reputation as a guy who doesn't perform in the playoffs, is intense.

The Dodgers swept the Brewers in four games with a 5-1 victory. They'll have a week off before the World Series, which starts next Friday.

The Brewers scored four runs in four games, by the way. This was a one-way series, even though the Brewers had 97 regular-season wins.

PMLB
  • Three championship series wins for the Mariners: it's never happened before.

  • Wow.

  • It's off tomorrow in baseball. On Sunday, at 8pm, the Blue Jays will try to avoid elimination.

This content was created with the help of AI.

facebook icon Share twitter icon Tweet linkedin icon Share
Copied!