Maybe the Milwaukee Brewers should’ve looked at the calendar and started someone other than Jose Quintana.
Because on October 17 in the postseason, Shohei Ohtani takes Quintana deep.
On Oct. 17, 2024, Ohtani led off the top of the first inning with a home run against Quintana in New York against the Mets.
On Oct. 17, 2025, Ohtani led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run against Quintana again.
Ohtani ended the game with three home runs to go with six shutout innings and 10 strikeouts. The Dodgers never felt in much doubt after Ohtani took Quintana deep.
MLB Network’s Sarah Langs shared on X that Ohtani is the fourth hitter to homer off the same pitcher on the same calendar day in multiple postseasons. The others:
- Justin Turner off Max Scherzer (2016, 2019 – Oct. 7)
- Manny Ramirez off Cole Hamels (2008, 2009 – Oct. 15)
- Dusty Baker off Steve Carlton (1977, 1983 – Oct. 8)
MORE: Shohei Ohtani just played the greatest game in baseball history
Those three feel even more impressive than Ohtani’s, just considering the caliber of pitcher giving up the home runs.
Oct. 17, 2024: Shohei Ohtani hits 422-foot leadoff home run against Jose Quintana in Game 4 of the NLCS.
Oct. 17, 2025: Shohei Ohtani hits 446-foot leadoff home run against Jose Quintana in Game 4 of the NLCS. pic.twitter.com/ha6TF8HPGj
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) October 18, 2025
It’s all pretty unbelievable, though.
Ohtani is like no one else to ever play baseball. This leadoff home run came after he struck out the side on the mound in the top of the first.
The Ohtani show will never get old.
