Overview
- Ohtani hit three home runs and struck out 10 over six scoreless innings in the Dodgers’ 5–1 Game 4 win over the Brewers to complete an NLCS sweep and earn series MVP.
- No player on record had ever combined double-digit strikeouts on the mound with three homers at the plate in the same game, let alone in the postseason.
- In the clubhouse, Ohtani displayed his NLCS MVP trophy with a sign reading “team effort,” and on Instagram he posted “4 more,” signaling his World Series goal.
- Fan David Flores secured the third home-run ball and has discussed selling it, later telling local TV he will decide after the World Series; a separate claim to the second ball lacks video verification and drew Dodgers PR skepticism, and the first ball’s whereabouts remain unknown.
- Reactions ranged from Derek Jeter’s longevity caution to peers calling Ohtani the best ever, and video showed a brief moment of frustration when Dave Roberts removed him in the seventh without any subsequent dispute from the team.