18
Oct,2025
When Shohei Ohtani, two‑way star for the Los Angeles Dodgers, took the mound at Dodger Stadium on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, the baseball world held its breath. Ohtani delivered a six‑inning, shutout performance, fanned ten batters and launched three home runs – a combo no pitcher in MLB history has ever achieved, whether in the regular season or postseason. The 5‑1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers completed a 4‑0 sweep of the National League Championship Series and booked the Dodgers a spot in the 2025 World Series.
Ohtani's record‑breaking night
The statistical line reads like a baseball fantasy: six scoreless innings, ten strikeouts, and three long‑ball blasts (a solo shot in the first, a two‑run shot in the fourth, and another solo homer in the seventh). That makes Ohtani the first player ever to combine three home runs with ten strikeouts as a pitcher in a single game, a feat that instantly rewrote the record books. "I just tried to stay relaxed and let the game come to me," Ohtani said in the locker room, his Japanese‑English mix punctuated by a modest grin.
Opposing manager Pat Murphy, who is in his second season guiding the Brewers, nodded toward the magnitude of the night. "Shohei showed why he's a once‑in‑a‑generation talent," Murphy remarked, adding that his crew would need to regroup quickly for the next season.
Brewers’ season of highs and hurdles
The Brewers entered the NLCS riding a historic regular‑season record of 97‑65, the best in MLB for 2025. Their journey began with a brutal 0‑4 start, but an eight‑game winning streak in May‑June and a franchise‑record 14‑game run in August turned that early disaster into a championship‑contending campaign. The team clinched its third straight NL Central title under Murphy’s steady hand, marking seven postseason appearances in eight years.
Yet the NLCS exposed a lingering offensive wall. The Brewers managed just one run in each of the four games, tallying only 14 hits total and a paltry 16 at‑bats with runners in scoring position. Left‑fielder Christian Yelich, the 2020 NL MVP, summed up the frustration: "We aren't that far. Not as far as it seems. I still believe one day that's going to be us out there... You have to believe that." Pitcher Freddy Peralta added, "Nobody believed in us from Day 1 of Spring Training because we didn't have the big names… It taught me a lot, that you don't have to have the biggest names to play and win games."
Reactions from players and coaches
Even in defeat, some Brewers voices sounded optimistic. Catcher William Contreras – acquired from the Atlanta Braves in a 2024 trade – praised the young arms in the clubhouse: "We've got Jackson Chourio, who’s 23, and Tobias Myers, 25. They’re the future, and they’ll keep this team competitive." Meanwhile, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (not a primary entity but mentioned for context) hailed his roster’s depth, noting that the team’s payroll of $293.5 million – the highest in MLB – gave them the flexibility to keep stars like Ohtani on long‑term deals.
Financial and roster contrasts
- Payroll gap: Dodgers $293.5 million vs. Brewers $148.7 million.
- Dodgers ownership: Guggenheim Baseball Management LLC (based at 1000 Vin Scully Avenue, Los Angeles).
- Brewers headquarters: 1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
- Dodgers’ starting lineup featured 7 All‑Stars; Brewers had 3.
The fiscal disparity underscores why the Dodgers could splash on free‑agents while the Brewers leaned on scouting and player development. Still, the Brewers’ 2025 payroll placed them 14th in the league, a respectable finish given their on‑field success.
World Series outlook
Los Angeles now turns its attention to the fall classic, scheduled to begin Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at 8:08 p.m. EDT. The Dodgers will meet either the New York Yankees or the Cleveland Guardians, depending on the outcome of the AL Championship Series. Ohtani’s dual threat will surely be a focal point, and the Dodgers’ deep bullpen – anchored by Kenley Jansen and Walker Buehler – gives them a strategic edge.
For the Brewers, the offseason will revolve around retaining the core they built around Peralta, Chourio, and Myers, while possibly exploring trade opportunities for more firepower. Their front office, led by President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, is expected to be aggressive in free‑agency, aiming to translate the 2025 regular‑season dominance into a championship run.
Key Facts
- Date of sweep: Oct. 17, 2025
- Final score: Dodgers 5, Brewers 1
- Ohtani’s historic line: 6 IP, 0 R, 10 K, 3 HR
- Brewers regular‑season record: 97‑65 (MLB‑best)
- World Series start: Oct. 21, 2025, 8:08 p.m. EDT
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Ohtani’s performance affect the Dodgers’ World Series chances?
Ohtani’s rare blend of pitching dominance and power hitting gives the Dodgers a tactical advantage on both sides of the ball. In a short series, a single player who can change the game from the mound and the plate forces opponents to allocate extra resources, which often translates to deeper bullpen usage and more lineup flexibility – critical factors in a best‑of‑seven World Series.
What were the main reasons the Brewers struggled offensively in the NLCS?
Milwaukee faced a combination of elite pitching from the Dodgers and a lack of timely hitting. The Brewers went just 14‑for‑53 overall and 1‑for‑12 with runners in scoring position, indicating difficulty in capitalizing on opportunities. Injuries to key batters earlier in the season and an over‑reliance on small‑ball tactics also limited their run production.
Who will the Dodgers likely face in the World Series?
The American League Championship is set to conclude on Oct. 20, pitting the New York Yankees against the Cleveland Guardians. Whichever team wins will travel to Los Angeles for Game 1 on Oct. 21. Both opponents boast strong lineups, but the Yankees’ power and the Guardians’ balanced roster make the matchup an intriguing clash of styles.
What does the payroll disparity mean for the Brewers moving forward?
With a payroll roughly half that of the Dodgers, Milwaukee must rely on scouting, player development, and shrewd trades. The front office is likely to prioritize extensions for young arms like Jackson Chourio and Tobias Myers, while exploring cost‑effective free‑agents who can add depth without inflating the salary bill.
When and where can fans watch the upcoming World Series?
Game 1 kicks off on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, at 8:08 p.m. EDT, broadcast nationally on Fox and streamed via the Fox Sports app. Subsequent games will rotate between Los Angeles and the opponent’s home park, with Prime Video and ESPN providing additional coverage options.
