During the Los Angeles Dodgers’ October rampage to the NL pennant, the defending World Series champions have actually been the dark eminence that many baseball people have long feared they would become.

The family of Kobe Bryant, widow Vanessa Bryant and daughters Bianka Bryant, Capri Bryant and Natalia Bryan, pose during the game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

In one of the greatest single-game performances in MLB history, the Japanese superstar did it all as the Dodgers swept the Brewers to return to the World Series.

Andrew Friedman says the Dodgers were always confident their pitching would be in a good place by October and that's why they didn't make splashy moves at the trade deadline.

The Milwaukee Brewers try to stay alive against the LA Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS Friday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani will take the mound opposite Milwaukee left-hander Jose Quintana as the Dodgers try to sweep the series on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers have a free-spirited celebration of sweeping the Brewers, but are waiting for one more, much bigger celebration.

The two were fit hits last season together as well — along with Mookie Betty’s’ wife Brianna Betts — through the playoffs and World Series where Freddie was the MVP. With a win tonight, they’ll all be back for the big show.