In a performance that will be etched in baseball lore forever, Shohei Ohtani put on an unprecedented two-way display at Dodger Stadium on Friday night, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in NLCS Game 4 and completing a stunning four-game sweep of the National League Championship Series.

Ohtani, who emerged from the interview room clutching his NLCS MVP trophy, became the first pitcher in Major League Baseball history to lead off a game with a home run. But that was just the beginning of an extraordinary evening. The Japanese superstar launched three home runs in total, including bombs of 446 and 469 feet, while simultaneously dominating on the mound with six scoreless innings and 10 strikeouts.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not mince words when assessing the performance. That was probably the greatest postseason performance of all time, Roberts said after the game. The statement carries significant weight considering the long and storied history of October baseball.

Ohtani also made franchise history, becoming the first Dodgers pitcher to homer in the postseason. His dual dominance on both sides of the ball showcased why he remains the most unique talent in baseball, seamlessly transitioning from overpowering hitters from the mound to crushing baseballs into the Los Angeles night sky.

The sweep sends Los Angeles to their second consecutive World Series appearance, putting them in position to become the first team since the New York Yankees dynasty of 1998-2000 to win back-to-back championships. For the Dodgers organization, the expectations are crystal clear.

It was not like we want to repeat, said veteran infielder Max Muncy. It is like hey, we need to repeat.

That pressure appeared to fuel rather than hinder the Dodgers throughout the NLCS. They dominated the Brewers from start to finish, never allowing Milwaukee to gain momentum in any of the four games. The sweep marks a emphatic statement from a team determined to cement their place among baseball's greatest dynasties.

The Dodgers will now await their World Series opponent, with the American League Championship Series still underway between the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. The Fall Classic is scheduled to begin the following Friday, giving Los Angeles time to rest and prepare for what they hope will be a championship celebration.

For Ohtani, the NLCS MVP award adds another chapter to his already legendary career. His Game 4 performance will be remembered as one of the most dominant individual displays in playoff history, a perfect blend of power, precision, and two-way excellence that may never be replicated. As the Dodgers prepare for their World Series run, they do so knowing they have baseball's most extraordinary talent performing at the peak of his powers when it matters most.