The Los Angeles Dodgers lost the National League Championship Series in four games, ending their bid for a three-peat. Shohei Ohtani finally hit a home run on Thursday night, but it was not enough to stop the Milwaukee Brewers. The final score was 6-4 in Game 4, sealing a historic sweep for the Brewers. Ohtani went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts, showing he is still finding his rhythm after missing time with injuries.
This loss feels different because the Dodgers had so much riding on this moment. They were trying to become only the third franchise to win three World Series titles in a row. Instead, they fell short against a team that dominated the regular season. The Brewers had the best record in Major League Baseball for the last two years. They proved that their regular-season success translated to the biggest stage.
The Cost of Waiting Too Long
Management made a strange call before Game 3. Instead of benching the four-time MVP, they opted to shift him to the sixth spot in the batting order. This hesitation might have cost them momentum. By the time they put him back in the leadoff spot for Game 4, the series was already slipping away. Ohtani hit his first long ball since August 18, it helped the Dodgers get to a 4-0 lead they couldn’t protect.
Even with that three-run shot off former Dodger Dustin May, the Dodgers could not hold the lead. The Brewers rallied with a series of smart hits and clutch plays. A go-ahead home run by Garrett Mitchell in the sixth inning then sealed the deal. The Dodgers’ bullpen failed to protect a lead, and the starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow was chased early.
A Historic End to a Reign
The Brewers are heading to their first World Series since 1982. This is a massive achievement for a franchise that has often struggled in the playoffs. They will face either the Cleveland Guardians or the Tampa Bay Rays starting next Friday. The Brewers showed they could handle pressure better than the superstars on the Dodgers roster.
For the Dodgers, the questions are now about health and role. Knee and biceps issues caused Ohtani to land on the injured list in September. He hit just .192 during the postseason. The team must decide if he should pitch again or focus only on hitting. Keith Hernandez noted that the biggest question is whether the Dodgers will make him only a hitter to avoid further breakdown.
What Comes Next for LA
The Dodgers will need to fix their approach before spring training begins in 2027. They cannot rely on a superstar to carry the team when he is not at full strength. The Brewers proved that a balanced lineup and solid pitching can beat even the most expensive roster. The Dodgers’ reign as the dominant force in baseball has ended for now. They will need a new plan to get back to the top.
The series ended with a 6-4 victory for Milwaukee, completing a four-game sweep. The Dodgers failed to make history, and the Brewers are ready to make their own. The next step is the World Series, where the Brewers will have a chance to win a title for the first time in decades. The Dodgers are left to wonder what could have been if they had played differently.
