Shohei Ohtani’s NLCS Game 4 Among Best Ever, Giants Candidate

Baseball fans are getting a postseason to remember. Rookies are making headlines and superstars keep raising the bar. The latest edition of The Windup—The Athletic’s MLB newsletter by Levi Weaver and Ken Rosenthal—dives into the chaos and excitement on the field.

The Toronto Blue Jays have forced a dramatic Game 7 in the American League Championship Series (ALCS). Shohei Ohtani just put together what some folks are already calling the wildest single-game performance in baseball history. And, of course, there’s buzz about managerial changes all over the league. Let’s try to untangle some of what’s making this October so wild.

Toronto’s Rookie Sensation Powers ALCS Game 6 Win

The Blue Jays kept their World Series hopes alive with a 6–2 win over the Seattle Mariners. Rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage played a huge role in that victory.

Yesavage began the year in Low-A ball, so his rapid rise feels straight out of a baseball movie. In Game 6, he struck out seven across 5⅔ innings. His composure barely hinted at his limited time in the majors.

Guerrero Jr. Ties Franchise Playoff Record

Meanwhile, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. just keeps crushing it in October. His sixth home run of the postseason tied the Blue Jays’ playoff record.

Guerrero’s knack for big moments has helped Toronto push this series to the limit. He’s become one of the game’s most intimidating bats right when it matters most.

Shohei Ohtani Delivers a Night for the Ages

Flip over to the National League side, and Shohei Ohtani just dropped jaws in Game 4 of the NLCS. He racked up 10 strikeouts on the mound and, somehow, blasted three home runs in the same game.

Ohtani basically put his team on his back against the league’s best squad. That win clinched their ticket to the World Series.

The Greatest Performance in Baseball History?

Levi Weaver, one of the newsletter’s writers, says Ohtani might have just delivered the greatest single-game performance in baseball history. He even puts it above Don Larsen’s perfect game in the ’56 World Series and Rick Wise’s two-homer no-hitter in 1971.

Weaver stretches the comparison to other sports, too—mentioning Michael Jordan’s flu game, Tiger Woods’ major wins, and Ernie Nevers’ six-touchdown day in the NFL. It’s a bold take, but honestly, hard to argue with after a night like that.

San Francisco Giants Eye Unconventional Hire

Off the field, things are getting interesting as well. The San Francisco Giants seem close to hiring Tennessee Volunteers head coach Tony Vitello as their next manager.

If that happens, it’d be a rare jump straight from college baseball to an MLB dugout. You don’t see that every day, and it could challenge the usual thinking about how managers get their shot.

Potential Impact of Vitello Move

Vitello’s known for developing young players, and that might fit right in with the Giants’ goals. His focus on player growth could give the team an edge, especially as they try to mix prospects with proven veterans.

Other MLB Headlines

The newsletter tossed in some quick hits from around the league:

• Mets Trade Rumors: Offseason speculation is heating up as they look to strengthen the roster.
• Yankees Management: GM Brian Cashman didn’t hold back in his comments about the team’s direction.
• Jesús Montero Passes Away: The baseball community is mourning the loss of the former MLB catcher.

Postseason Drama Continues

Game 7 in the ALCS is just around the corner. The World Series lineup in the NL is finally set.

This postseason? It’s shaping up to be unforgettable. Rookies like Yesavage and stars like Guerrero Jr. are chasing their shot at franchise history.

Ohtani’s recent performance—honestly, it’s hard not to call it a masterpiece. He’s raised the bar for everyone else in the sport.

Baseball’s October storylines have been wild. There’s resilience, breakout performances, and some gutsy moves from the front office.

Maybe you’re following a rookie’s rise. Maybe you can’t get enough of a superstar’s dominance. Or maybe you’re just curious about what’s happening behind the scenes with team leadership.

Either way, October baseball is giving us plenty to talk about.

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Here is the source article for this story: Ohtani’s NLCS Game 4 among best sports performances ever, plus intriguing Giants candidate