Ohtani's Historic Night! Dodgers Star Smashes MLB Playoff Records!

Shohei Ohtani electrified Dodger Stadium in Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Reds, launching two home runs that rewrote MLB playoff history. The Dodgers' slugger picked up right where he left off after a stellar regular season, leading his team to a dominant 10-5 victory.

Ohtani's Record-Breaking Leadoff Homer

Ohtani, batting leadoff, wasted no time making his presence felt. Facing Reds starter Hunter Greene, he blasted a 100-mph fastball over the inside corner, sending a scorching line drive into the right-field bleachers. The ball exploded off his bat at an astounding 117.7 mph, traveling 375 feet. This wasn't just any home run; it was the fastest home run ever hit off a 100-plus-mph pitch since Statcast began tracking such data in 2015.

Prior to Ohtani's blast, Rafael Devers held the record with a 113.7-mph homer off Gerrit Cole in 2021. Ohtani surpassed Devers by a significant 4 mph, solidifying his place in baseball history.

Furthermore, Ohtani's leadoff homer ranks among the hardest-hit home runs in postseason history during the Statcast era. Only Kyle Schwarber, Giancarlo Stanton, and Ohtani himself have hit playoff home runs with greater exit velocities.

Another Homer Extends the Lead

Ohtani wasn't satisfied with just one record-breaking homer. In the sixth inning, with the Dodgers already leading 6-0, he launched another moon shot into the right-field stands, extending the lead to 8-0. This homer, while not as hard-hit as the first (113.5 mph), further cemented his dominance on the night.

With two home runs exceeding 113 mph, Ohtani became only the second player in Statcast history to achieve this feat, showcasing his unparalleled power and skill.

The Dodgers' offense erupted behind Ohtani's heroics, securing a commanding Game 1 victory. Fans are eagerly anticipating what Ohtani will do next as the Dodgers continue their playoff journey.