Shohei Ohtani made a significant statement during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Game 4 victory against the New York Mets in the NL Championship Series, solidifying his impact on the team. Following his impressive three-run homer in Game 3, teammate Freddie Freeman playfully encouraged Ohtani to get more involved early on in the game.
In Game 4, Ohtani delivered, hitting a towering 422-foot home run off pitcher Jose Quintana in his first at-bat, pointing towards the Dodgers dugout as he rounded the bases. This decisive hit contributed to the Dodgers’ 10-2 win, advancing them to a 3-1 series lead and bringing them closer to a World Series appearance. Ohtani’s homer marked his third of the postseason, coming after he struggled with a .235 average so far.
Notably, Ohtani had previously been 0 for 22 in the playoffs when there were no runners on base but excelled when hitting with runners aboard, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure. His performance included hitting the seventh leadoff homer in Dodgers postseason history.
The 117.8 mph blast was one of the hardest-hit postseason home runs tracked by Statcast, underscoring his extraordinary power at the plate. Quintana, who had not allowed a home run in his last eight starts, faced a formidable challenge from Ohtani.
Despite his postseason numbers being relatively subdued compared to his stellar regular season, where he led the National League with 54 homers and 130 RBIs, Ohtani remains a formidable force. He set a record as the first player to achieve both 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season and has continued to draw massive viewership in his home country of Japan.
Ohtani acknowledged the challenge for fans back in Japan to catch the games live due to the time difference, as his latest home run occurred shortly after 9 a.m. Tokyo time.