Just when I thought the Dodgers were well on their way without me having to check my heart rate count, Doc has to go and put in Blake Treinen to pitch the 8th. Is he the only RHRP the Dodgers have? Where was Emmet Sheehan? Oh well, quit complaining Jeff.
A double, SB, and BB, gave the Brewers life with runners on the corners with nobody out. Treinen then struck out Isaac Collins and his night was done. Anthony Banda came in to face Brice Turang. Banda got the ground ball, but Turang was too fast to be doubled up, and the shutout was over.
Jackson Chourio, who is already an elite hitter at 21, singled to put runners on 1st and 2nd and Christian Yelich coming up. But Banda got Yelich on a comebacker, and the Dodgers were now 3 outs away.
But this was Shohei’s night. The day began with a number of commenters writing that Ohtani should be benched. Some were a little more forgiving and said he should just be taken out of the leadoff spot. Ohtani had a better idea. He led off the bottom of the 1st with a 446 foot HR.
Shohei Ohtani continues to show why he’s the best.
He opened Game 4 on the mound, walking the first batter then retiring the next three.
Then he hits a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first. pic.twitter.com/DturyJc6wD— Valentina Martinez (@ValentinaMrtnz_) October 18, 2025
The Dodgers used 3 singles by Mookie, Will Smith, Tommey Edman, and a ground out by Teoscar Hernández gave the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.
Reminder that Tommy Edman is really good.
pic.twitter.com/qe1Dvh4LrJ— Klein25 (@Klein25) October 18, 2025
Shohei walked in the 2nd. But then he outdid himself in the 4th. He hit one 469 feet on top of the RF pavilion roof.
SHOHEI OHTANI JUST HIT ONE OUT OF DODGER STADIUM
HOLY SHIT pic.twitter.com/8DkotMcXEZ
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) October 18, 2025
Shohei was removed from pitching in the top of the 7th after allowing the first two batters to reach . Doc brought in LHRP Alex Vesia. Vesia got Andrew Vaughn to pop out for the 1st out, and then induced Sal Frelick to hit into a DP to end the inning. Shohei completed 6+ scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits, struck out 10 while walking 3. He had 19 whiffs.
But Ohtani came to bat in the bottom of the 7th with a chance to hit his 3rd HR, which he did. But his 3rd was just a flair hit only 427 feet.
Shohei Ohtani had an all-time great performance that will be talked about forever.
As a hitter: 3/3 with 3 home runs and a walk.
As a pitcher: 6.0 IP | 2 H | 0 ER | 10 Ks
The greatest player of all time. Just delivered a masterpiece to win NLCS MVP. pic.twitter.com/KqbXB9ItqP
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) October 18, 2025
Roki Sasaki came in to pitch the 9th in a non-save situation, allowing a single, but got the final three outs to send the Dodgers to the World Series AGAIN.
This will be the 5th NL Pennant in the last nine years, and the 26th in their illustrious history. That is the most by any other NL team, 3 more than the Giants.
This was the first LAD 4 game sweep in a 7 game series since the 1963 sweep of NYY in thw WS.
There are just not nearly enough superlatives to describe what Shohei Ohtani means to the Dodgers and MLB.
WS Game 1 will be, Friday, Oct. 24. The LAD rotation figures to be the same: Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani. I do not expect any changes in the position player roster. Now the bullpen???? All kidding aside, I do not see any changes here either.
Dodgers Starting Pitching
Dodgers starting pitchers in the NLCS:
– Blake Snell: 8 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K
– Yoshinobu Yamamoto: 9 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K
– Tyler Glasnow: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
– Shohei Ohtani: 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 10 KThat's a combined ERA of 0.63 across 28.2 innings. pic.twitter.com/gE1STt5E0Z
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) October 18, 2025
Ohtani’s Strikeouts and HRs in chronological order
Shohei Ohtani's 10 strikeouts and three home runs in chronological order pic.twitter.com/z51rA0zAx5
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 18, 2025
October Kiké lets his defense be his star in this game.
The three different reactions from this double play by Kiké 😂🔥😒pic.twitter.com/gemA1Onoep
— James¹⁷¹⁸🎌 (@ShotimeLAD) October 18, 2025
4th player to hit Playoff HRs off the same pitcher on the same calendar day in multiple postseasons.
Shohei Ohtani has homered off Jose Quintana on Oct 17 in consecutive years
He’s the 4th player to homer off the same pitcher on the same calendar day in multiple postseasons, joining:
⁰Justin Turner-Max Scherzer, 10/7/2016 & 2019
Manny Ramirez-Cole Hamels, 10/15/2008 & 2009…— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 18, 2025
Doc on Ruining Baseball
Dave Roberts did not hold back after the Dodgers won the Pennant pic.twitter.com/59rrHabtF0
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 18, 2025
We will have home field against the Mariners who won 90 games. Toronto won 94. Go Mariners.
I can’t believe Roberts brought Treinen in to pitch the 8th.
Sometimes he does the dumbest things.
Yea, Roberts is just such a loser!
Didn’t say he was a loser or a bad manager. I just thought there were better options than Treinen for the 8th inning.
Pitching options out of the pen yesterday, Casparius, hasn’t pitched in a game since OKC’s season ended in September. Sheehan, last pitched against the Phillies in the LDS and in 3.1 innings, he has allowed 4 runs and has an ERA over 10. Dryer has pitched just 1.2 innings this postseason, Kershaw, knew he wasn’t considered, and Wrobleski, who hasn’t pitched since September. I think the manager has a better handle on who were the best options.
Why is Kershaw not considered? He still is pretty good, no?
Well, maybe he did not have better options. If so, that is sad.
Unlike the fans, Doc trusts Treinen. Treinen started the 8th because there were two RH hitters due up. Durbin got the hit, but he was squeezed on a pitch to Montasario who eventually walked. Collins PH and struck out. Banda then came in to face the lefty, Turang. Had the ball he hit to second been hit harder, doubtful that Durbin would have scored since it would have been a DP. But it wasn’t hit hard. Yeah, he gave up a run, but by that time LA was up 5-0. The bullpen is what it is. Guys like Henriquez, Gervase, Klein, Knack, Kopech, Miller, Yates, all left off of the 26-man because of a lack of confidence in them being able to perform. Depending on who they face, the BP will probably change for the World Series. Six of the Jays offensive players hit left-handed, but their main power comes from the right, Springer, Guerrero, Barger, Kirk. Seattle has four main power hitters, Raliegh and Naylor hit from the left, Raliegh is a switch-hitter, so he is the third RH power source with Rodriguez and Suarez. Polanco has surprising power and is probably one of their better clutch hitters. When the Dodgers swept the Mariners in Seattle in September, Polanco was the only Mariner to homer. They faced Sheehan, Glasnow and Kershaw. Because it was their last start of the year, Glasnow only went 3 innings. Kersh was allowed to go long enough to get his 11th win. They did not face Snell, Yamamoto or Ohtani.
Clearly the main takeaway from tve game
I refused to celebrate the fact that we clinched a trip to the World Series because Treinen pitched
Summary of this game —
Bugs Bunny pitching, Bugs Bunny hitting …
Seriously, as long as their SP’s keep doing what they’re doing,
the Dodgers got this in the bag.
Great win love the way edmunds plays ball. Most times Roberts does dumb things yet they still win. Does Treinin have pictures . Starting pitching in this series was oustanding keep er going for 4 more.
Edman is a ballplayer’s ballplayer. He is a baseball rat. He plays the game hard and is not afraid to get dirty. Probably the one guy on the team that could have been the MVP besides Shohei.
The Hernández double play was amazing. Perkins just stood there in disbelief.
Fun report of a fun game, Jeff. Shohei’s “flare” third HR will be remembered…
Tahnk you for the spelling correction. I try to catch them, but I miss some along the way.
Shohei Otani. WOW! What a fun and historical performance he put on last night.
To have struggled hitting for the last several games and then to do what he did last night was completely unexpected. It has to be one of the greatest (or the greatest) individual accomplishments in postseason history. To pitch 6+ shutout innings, striking out 10, and hit three 400’+ home runs in one game is truly insane. That would be nice production for a entire series.
With the success and length the starters are providing, do you think it has taken some pressure off the BP? Roberts seems somewhat more comfortable going to them in the past two games. Treinen still is a major concern for me. Last night I would have liked to see Sheehan in the 8th inning. It might have given Sheehan some confidence moving forward to the WS. But, then Roberts was probably more comfortable with Treinen’s experience. Thankfully, after three batters Roberts got him out of the game and brought in Banda to close down the Brewers. And, of course, the new closer Roki Sasaki came in to finish the game.
How exciting for him!
Not only Kiki’s offense excels during the playoffs, but his defense as well. That play he made to double up Perkins with a strong throw while still running after his catch was spectacular.
I’m pulling for the Mariners to close out Toronto. I expect the FOX people won’t be happy, but the Seattle team has never been to the WS. It would be great to have them get there finally. It would be cool to see Ohtani vs Raleigh. Seattle has some very good young players along with a couple a seasoned vets. Their starting pitching has been good in the playoffs so far.
Carry on
I woke up today and still can’t believe what I witnessed last night. Just incredible. When Ohtani can lay off those pitches down and away and out of the zone, he’s a different hitter. It forces the pitcher to finally come into the zone. And we saw what happened when they do. If I was a pitcher, I would never throw him a strike. Up and out of the zone with the fastball and low and in the dirt breaking ball. If he walks, he walks. Can’t believe I got to see the greatest individual game in mlb history, my team, my guy and in the biggest of moments. Just awesome!
I’m also calling for sitting Pages out of game one of the WS like I did for Ohtani last night.
Hopefully with the same results!
Yep, I would sit Pages and play Call.
The Dodgers leave Conforto off the post season roster and they become invincible!
It’s not because of their bats
They finally woke up and did the right thing.
Haha
If it was only that easy! Good strategy though. So far, Pages has a game winning comebacker to his credit. He would certainly help the bottom of the lineup if he could contribute something to give Ohtani or the top of the order someone to drive in.
Wow
Snell, Yams, Glasnow to Ohtani: “Okay, I see how it is, Maybe you could also make contact when we are on the mound.”
Edmand was great last year and he has been pretty clutch so far this year in the playoffs. If Kike’ is not a Dodger next year, the Dodgers will still have a Mr. October.
I noticed that Chorio was very confident at the plate. He is a winner. I didn’t pay attention to his defense. Is he good there also?
Roberts might like Treinen’s experience but all he has to do is look at that recent history and use that knowledge to change his go to guy.
Sasaki wasn’t dominant in game 4 but good enough to close out the game. The Brewers were ready to take this series to a game 5. They were not giving up. Great pitching and great baseball beat them. The Brewers need one more pitcher.
Yes, he can play defense.
https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2024/brewers/jackson-chourio-694192
I thought I saw somewhere that Ohtani very seldom takes batting practice outside. He hit outside Thursday. I know it’s probably coincidental but I think Ohtani should continue to take batting practice outside until we win the World Series
And bring Pages along with him!
Where’s Bear
I am here, have had some issues with the people I bought my tower from, had to order a new one since they sent me a unit with the wrong operating system, and refuse to accept a return and replace this one. Also, as Jeff knows, my son’s fiancé passed away the other evening. So, I am going to have to go to Denver soon for her funeral. I have written a post for tomorrow, more of a lighthearted thing than any real info. But I will do more after I get the new tower with the right operating system. Windows 11.
Sorry to hear this Bear. Condolences to you and your family.
My condolences to you, your son and his fiancé’s family.
Very sorry to hear about your son’s fiance’. Prayers to you and yours.
Thanks Ohio, it is much appreciated.
So sorry Bear.
Well, when I am wrong, it is a whopper. I will just shut the hell up about Shohei hitting leadoff anymore. He has proved me wrong in so many ways. 3rd Dodger to have a 3-homer game in the playoffs, and the only superstar in the bunch. The other two, Kike and CT-3. Freddie and Duke Snider are the only Dodgers with four homers in a World Series and Duke did it twice. Snider still has the most World Series homers by a Dodger, 11. Bring on whomever the AL has, I am looking forward to the first Dodger back-to-back Championships.
It’s not like Ohtani can’t hit home runs in another spot in the lineup.
No, it isn’t, and according to their stat pages, Betts is a better leadoff hitter. Betts hits .289 as the first batter in a game. He has 52 career leadoff homers. That places him 5th all time behind Ricky Henderson, Springer, Alfonso Soriano and Craig Biggio. He is one behind Biggio and 2 behind Soriano. Springer has 63 and Henderson had 81. Ohtani has hit .290 leading off a game and has 24 leadoff homers. Overall Betts hits close to .300 leading off.
As long as Ohtani gets up in the first inning I don’t see a problem with going back to Betts leading off.
Some thoughts on last night:
*first, congratulations to the Dodgers in yet another World Series. An odd and remarkable season. I want a Mariners – Dodgers match up?
*I think it was Ron Darling asking if this was Williamsport? It sure looked like Ohtani was the dominate Little Leaguer. The dominate big kid with a beard against 9 year old boys. A performance for the ages.
*Ohtani’s performance was awesome and frustrating, to me. When you see how talented he is at the plate when he swings at strikes and lays off balls,of what he is physically capable of, it makes me think that he could be even a better offensive threat. Why can’t he hit ,300+ with 50 dingers, 35 steals and win a Cy Young? He’s that good.With better plate discipline, there’s no end to what he could do.
*Kike’s double play throw on the run was spectacular. It is remarkable how he becomes Mr. October.
*Everything has fallen in line. We now can line up the exact starting rotation for the WS. Again, I’m changing nothing. It ain’t broke.
*I admit, I wanted to see Sheehan piggybacked with Ohtani. But I also want a trip to Bermuda.
*I was so skeptical that a team could just flip the switch and be successful in the playoffs. As a coach that plan just makes me nervous. And I was wrong. This team did it. And it doesn’t hurt to get your team healthy and all lined up.
*I have a hope that we still see Kershaw for one inning out of the pen in a perfect situation. I though last night might be it if we could have had at least a 5 run lead for the 9th. Throw CK, have Sasaki ready, for the win at home with the crowd going nuts. That didn’t materialize but maybe there is still the perfect storm in the Series. I’d love to see Kirsch closeout a winning game at home to cap off his awesome career.
kind like Roy Hobbs.
Great win last night!! So exciting when the Dodgers are on their game. The next opponent will be super tough. If our pitching continues we should prevail. Our offense could explode or not. Really no one has been hot other than Ohtanis otherworldly game. We have been solid with Kike, Edman, Teo, Betts showing up but Freddie, Ohtani, Muncy, pages, Betts are much better than they are showing. Smith has done well also without power. But, part of it is Milwaukee had some great arms out of that bullpen. Seattle has tremendous pitching and Toronto with Gausman, savage, n now scherzer pitching over his head will be tough. Toronto probably a little better offense but when guys like Suarez get hot Seattle would be really good. I don’t like the layoff but it didn’t seem to hurt Milwaukee or Toronto when they had time off. I guess I pull for Seattle so we have home field advantage. Go Dodgers!!!!
I have really enjoyed the Brian Anderson, Ron Darling and Frenchy’s coverage of the Dodgers – Brewers series on TV. Good coverage, insights without over analysis. They know when to shut up and let the game breath. I wish they were doing the World Series but I’m sure we will get Joe Davis and John Smoltz.
Doing the Series has to present a challenge because there a a lot of casual viewers that don’t typically watch baseball. The challenge is to provide insightful coverage without “dumbing down” the analysis. My contention is if these infrequent viewers really cared about Baseball 101, they would watch more games. So please don’t explain what “on the black means”.
Im now challenged to find a way to watch the Series and avoid John Smoltz and his rambling and overstating the obvious. I like to watch games I have DVR’ed in order to skip ads. But now unless I want to listen to Smoltz, I can’t do that. I guess I will need to try to tune in to the game on Sirius Radio and watch the game on TV, in real time.
i almost now have a pathological dislike for Smoltz, like I had with Tim McCarver.
Yeasterday, I wanted to mute Smoltz before the first pitch. He just rambles, non-stop while saying nothing; just overstating the obvious or second guessing the pitching.
Two Smoltz lead ins spell doom to his next offerings. “What I mean by that is” and”what I would have thrown was”, means get ready for an insufferable paragraph.
John, nobody gives a shit what you would throw in that situation. And why use a sentence to say something that you can say in a paragraph?
Heres my perfect example of why he drives me crazy.
Bottom 8, tie game, Suarez hits a monumental Grand Salami, to take the lead. The Seattle fans are going nuts. Joe and John allow the pictures to tell the story, being silent for a change, as Geno rounds the bases.
Smoltz breaks the booth silence when Suarez steps on home.
And Smoltz doesn’t describe things like “what a career moment for Geno”, or “this is what Seattle has waited for for 25 years”. He doesn’t let Joe Davis describe the frenzy.
You know what Smoltz said?
The fist thing out of his mouth was “I can’t believe hit threw him a fastball!”
Holy shit. He was second guessing the pitch selection right to the very end.
John, STFU, please.
I agree on Smoltz. He’s insufferable and has been for years. Just like Joe Morgan was. I’ve turned the sound way down so you can sort of hear him but not enough to hear his mind numbing over analysis.
Good vent. That said, I like Davis and Orel. They seem to enjoy each other.
A lot goes in to what pitch is thrown and when. What’s working. Scouting report. Keeping the batter guessing. Etc.
I too don’t have interest in the pitch Smoltz thinks should be thrown.
I’m man enough to admit that I was one of the guys who wanted to see Ohtani move down in the lineup…..but I think I specified this……against great left handed pitchers, like Sanchez types.
The guy he faced last night is no where near Sanchez’ tier. The kid last night has an ERA close to 4, so he gets hit and is not someone who only makes a very limited number of mistakes. My proof is simply- look at the pitch Ohtani jacked out in the first inning. In fact, all 3 HRs were pretty much in the strike zone whereby Ohtani didn’t have to lunge or look bad while swinging.None were sweeping AWAY from him and none were very low out of the strike zone. All were pretty much inside. All the great lefties make Ohtani look bad with low outside balls.
But of course when I said maybe he should bat 9th, I knew that wasn’t happening, so I guess I was just conversing without substance. I do that at times……TM
Sorry for your loss Bear
Sorry for your loss Michael.
you are one of the good guys.
Will never forget watching a game with you.