The beast is awake. Shohei Ohtani finally erupted during the 2026 MLB playoffs, blasting a 428-foot three-run homer to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 4-0 lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in a must-win Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. The four-time MVP immediately released months' worth of pent-up emotions, as he and the packed crowd in Chavez Ravine celebrated this long-awaited moment.
That euphoric dinger, which came off former Dodgers pitcher Dustin May in the second inning, marked Ohtani's first home run since an Aug. 18 road game versus the Colorado Rockies. It is his first extra-base hit since Sept. 24 and just his fifth knock of this postseason.
Article Continues BelowDave Roberts decided to move Shohei Ohtani into the leadoff spot.
He responded with a three-run home run to give the Dodgers a 4-0 lead.
That's as animated as Ohtani has ever been as a Dodger.
This team has life. pic.twitter.com/AH4C6fsoGV
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) October 16, 2026