{"id":108346,"date":"2025-10-13T19:40:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-13T23:40:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=108346"},"modified":"2025-10-13T19:40:35","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T23:40:35","slug":"four-keys-dodgers-2025-nlcs-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/10\/13\/four-keys-dodgers-2025-nlcs-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Keys to a Dodgers NLCS Series Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to take on the Milwaukee Brewers tonight in Game One of the National League Championship Series at American Family Field. The Blue Crew has been playing fairly good baseball, having won 10 out of their last 11 games. However, Los Angeles is yet to beat the Brew Crew this year, going 0-6. This is partly why Milwaukee has the best record in baseball this year. Here are four keys for the Dodgers if they want to win the NLCS and advance to the World Series.<\/p>\n

\"Shohei
Jun 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two\u2011way player Shohei Ohtani (17) pitches the ball during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Four Keys to Victory for the Dodgers in the 2025 NLCS<\/h2>\n

Somebody Wake Up Sho<\/h3>\n

It feels like on most days, Shohei Ohtani<\/a> does everything well. He is one of the aces in the starting rotation. Ohtani went six full innings in his first career postseason start, allowing three runs in six full innings, striking out nine against the Philadelphia Phillies’ explosive lineup. He hits for power and average, and can steal a base or two. However, in the Division Series, Ohtani struggled mightily. He went 1-for-19 with nine strikeouts. More specifically, Ohtani was 1-for-16 against left-handers.<\/p>\n

Manager Dave Roberts<\/a> was uncharacteristically blunt when he said, “We are not going to win the World Series with that sort of performance.” The Dodgers’ 50\/50 man must do better with the bat. \u00a0If he gets hot, he can carry the team. It also lengthens an already potent lineup and takes the pressure off the pitching staff. Admittedly, Shohei isn’t the only one whose bat is cold. Los Angeles has only scored three runs in the last two games. It would help if Ohtani were a little more than a threat at the plate.<\/p>\n

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Also, when Andrew Friedman was asked about Shohei Ohtani\u2019s NLDS struggles, he tried to explain it as Ohtani just running into really good Phillies\u2019 pitching<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it was the most impressive execution against a hitter I’ve ever seen,\u201d he said<\/p>\n

Full answer: pic.twitter.com\/QiLTxGoHQH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) October 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n