Prepare to have your baseball world rocked! Shohei Ohtani just delivered a performance for the ages, single-handedly propelling the Los Angeles Dodgers back to the World Series.
In a stunning display of skill, Ohtani not only smashed three home runs but also dominated on the mound, striking out 10 batters in a nearly flawless pitching performance. Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts didn't mince words, calling it "probably the greatest postseason performance of all time." And honestly, it's hard to disagree.
But here's where it gets controversial... Ohtani, often considered the greatest player on the planet, solidified that reputation in this single game. He was named the NLCS MVP, largely due to this unforgettable performance. Ohtani himself humbly acknowledged his turn to shine, saying, "This time around it was my turn to be able to perform."
First, Ohtani made history by hitting the first leadoff home run by a pitcher in major league history, off Brewers starter Jose Quintana. Then, he followed it up with a 469-foot blast in the fourth inning. And just when you thought he was done, he added a third solo shot in the seventh, becoming only the 12th player to hit three homers in a postseason game. His combined home run distance? A staggering 1,342 feet!
And this is the part most people miss... Ohtani's pitching was equally impressive. He allowed only two hits and struck out double-digit batters for the first time in a Dodgers uniform. Teammate Freddie Freeman, last season's World Series MVP, was in awe, stating, "Sometimes you’ve got to check yourself and touch him to make sure he’s not just made of steel.”
After the Brewers put two runners on base in the seventh, Ohtani left the mound to a standing ovation, and then celebrated his third homer. The Dodgers, now heading to their fifth World Series in nine seasons, have a chance to become baseball's first repeat champions in a quarter-century. They're on a roll, and it's all thanks to Ohtani.
Following a dominant run through the NL playoffs, the Dodgers are heading to the World Series for the 23rd time in franchise history. Only the Yankees have more appearances. The Dodgers had never swept an NLCS in 16 previous appearances, but they became only the fifth team to sweep this series.
Dodgers manager Roberts, during the on-field celebration, exclaimed, "Before this season started, they said the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Let’s get four more wins and really ruin baseball!"
The Brewers, despite a stellar regular season, were eliminated by the Dodgers for the third time in seven playoff appearances. Brewers manager Pat Murphy acknowledged the historic nature of Ohtani's performance, saying, "We were part of tonight an iconic, maybe the best individual performance ever in a postseason game."
The Brewers' bats were silenced by the Dodgers' pitching, with their starters combining for 28 2/3 innings with only two earned runs allowed and 35 strikeouts.
Is Ohtani the greatest player ever? Outfielder Blake Perkins questioned, "Is he the greatest player ever? I don’t know. But he sure seemed like it tonight.”
What do you think? Did you witness one of the greatest individual performances in baseball history? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
