Ohtani’s Impressive Performance
Shohei Ohtani made a statement by hitting a lead-off homer in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets. Following his three-run homer in the eighth inning that secured the Dodgers’ victory in Game 3, teammate Freddie Freeman playfully reminded Ohtani to join the celebration early. “Freddie told me to make sure I got in on the party sooner,” Ohtani shared through an interpreter.
Instant Impact in Game 4
In Thursday night’s game, Ohtani crushed the first pitch from José Quintana into the Mets’ bullpen, putting the Dodgers on the board right away. He pointed toward the Dodgers’ dugout as he left the batter’s box, proudly stating, “I did it in the first inning.” The Dodgers ultimately won 10-2, taking a 3-1 lead in the series and needing just one more victory to reach the World Series.
Historic Postseason Achievement
Ohtani’s homer was his third of the postseason, traveling an impressive 422 feet. He entered the game with a postseason batting average of 0/22 without runners on base, but boasted an impressive 7/9 with two homers and eight RBIs when runners were on. “This hit meant a lot for Sho,” teammate Max Muncy remarked. Ohtani became the first player to hit a lead-off homer in seven postseason games for the Dodgers. Additionally, he drew three walks and scored four runs during the game. “He has a superpower that you and I can’t replicate,” said Mookie Betts.
Record-Setting Power
The speed of Ohtani’s homer reached 117.8 mph, ranking third among the hardest postseason homers recorded since Statcast began tracking. This showcases not only his power but also his ability to perform under pressure in crucial moments.
Ohtani’s Ongoing Recovery
Ohtani is still recovering from elbow surgery in September 2023 and is not pitching this year, but he had an outstanding season with 54 homers and 130 RBIs for the Dodgers. Last week’s game against San Diego averaged 12.9 million viewers in Japan, and Ohtani’s latest homer came at 9 a.m. Tokyo time.
With his remarkable performance in the NLCS, Shohei Ohtani continues to solidify his status as one of the most dynamic players in baseball, leaving fans and teammates alike eager to see what he will accomplish next.
