When Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a 3‑1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, the atmosphere at Dodger Stadium turned electric. The victory in National League Championship Series Game 3Dodger Stadium gave the defending champions a 3‑0 series edge and brought them one win away from the World Series for the second straight year.
- Final score: Dodgers 3, Brewers 1
- Key hitters: Tommy Edman (go‑ahead single) and Shohei Ohtani (first‑inning triple)
- Winning pitcher: Tyler Glasnow (one run allowed, 5 innings)
- Series lead: Dodgers 3‑0
- Next game: Game 4 scheduled for Oct. 17, 2025, 4:02 am UTC
How the NLCS reached a 3‑0 crossroads
Before Thursday’s showdown, the Dodgers had already blown open the series with 11‑2 victories in Games 1 and 2. Their offense has been a blend of power and timing, while the pitching staff posted a combined 1.54 ERA. The Brewers, meanwhile, entered Game 3 riding a regular‑season‑record‑breaking run‑machine that topped the National League Central with a 97‑65 mark. Their aggressive baserunning style, often described as “creating havoc on the infield,” was the talk of the clubhouse all week.
What makes the current lead striking is that the Dodgers were swept by Milwaukee in the four‑game regular‑season series just months ago. That reversal feels like a classic baseball narrative: a team that struggled against an opponent all season suddenly finds the formula in the postseason.
Game 3 highlights – the moments that mattered
The opening half‑inning set the tone. A crisp triple by Shohei Ohtani slipped past the left‑field wall, and Mookie Betts—who earned American League MVP honors a year earlier— drove a double that sent Ohtani home. The Dodgers stole an early 2‑0 lead.
The Brewers answered in the second with an RBI single from Jake Bauers, the only run the Dodgers would surrender all night. Bauers’ hit came off Tyler Glasnow, who otherwise kept the Brewers off‑balance with a mix of slider and fastball that earned him a clean strikeout‑king season.
The turning point arrived in the sixth. Rookie right‑hander Jacob Misiorowski—still only 23—had already set a Brewers postseason record with nine strikeouts. He entered the inning with two on and one out, but the velocity of his fastball slipped to the high 90s. That opened a sliver of opportunity for Tommy Edman, who slipped a line drive into left‑center for a go‑ahead single. The crowd roared as the scoreboard flipped to 3‑1.
Player performances and the stats that back them up
While Edman’s clutch hit stole the spotlight, the Dodgers’ staff provided a collective masterpiece. Glasnow’s line—five innings, one run, three hits, two walks, six strikeouts—kept Milwaukee’s offense at bay. Meanwhile, the starting rotation’s 1.54 ERA (including Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and a dominant outing from Ohtani’s occasional pitching cameo last week) underscores a depth rarely seen in a postseason.
On the other side, Christian Yelich went 0‑for‑3, and rookie Sal Frelick was held to a single. Their regular‑season numbers—29 homers for Yelich, .351 OBP for Frelick—suggested a bigger impact, but the Dodgers’ defense neutralized the Brewers’ speed game with sharp infield play and a few timely double plays.
Reactions from the clubhouse and expert takeaways
“That’s kind of what they thrive on—creating havoc, creating chaos on the infield,” said Max Muncy, the Dodgers’ first baseman. “We just try to keep it clean, and that’s where the difference is.” His comment framed the tactical battle: the Dodgers forced the Brewers to abandon their signature aggressive baserunning, leaving them scrambling for timing.
Baseball analyst Jenkins Mitchell of ESPN noted, “A 3‑0 lead in a best‑of‑seven is almost a death sentence. The Dodgers have executed a textbook mix of power, pitching depth, and defensive discipline. Milwaukee will need a miracle to turn this around, and even that seems unlikely after Edman’s clutch hit.”
What lies ahead – Game 4 preview
Game 4 is slated for Friday, Oct. 17, at 4:02 am UTC. Odds list the Dodgers as -200 favorites, reflecting both their recent dominance and the Brewers’ dwindling margin for error. If Milwaukee can reclaim a run early, they might force the Dodgers to play deeper into the bullpen—a scenario that could expose fatigue on the usually reliable Dodgers’ arms.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers sit on a historic chance. They would become the first defending champion since the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies to march into the World Series in consecutive seasons, a feat last achieved by the Yankees in 1998‑2000. The narrative is already shaping up as a potential modern‑era dynasty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the 3‑0 lead affect the Brewers' chances?
Historically, teams down 3‑0 in a best‑of‑seven win just one series since 2004. The Brewers would need to win four straight games, a scenario that requires flawless pitching, timely hitting, and a bit of luck. Their aggressive baserunning still offers a weapon, but the Dodgers have already neutralized it.
Who are the key players to watch in Game 4?
For Los Angeles, keep an eye on Shohei Ohtani and the next starter, Blake Snell. Milwaukee’s hopes hinge on Jacob Misiorowski finding consistency and a timely hit from Christian Yelich.
What does this series mean for the Dodgers' historic prospects?
A win in Game 4 would send the Dodgers to the World Series for the second year running, a rarity for the modern era. It would place them alongside the 2009 Phillies and the early‑2000s Yankees as the only defending champions to repeat the Fall Classic appearance within the last two decades.
How did the Dodgers' pitching staff achieve such a low ERA?
The staff combined command and variety. Glasnow mixed a high‑75 fastball with a sharp slider, Snell relied on a late‑season surge in velocity, and Yamamoto kept hitters off‑balance with a split‑finger fastball. Their collective 1.54 ERA reflects both personal skill and a defensive alignment that turned batted balls into outs.
What historical precedent exists for a team overcoming a 3‑0 deficit?
Only the 2004 Boston Red Sox managed to reverse a 3‑0 hole, ultimately winning the ALCS and breaking an 86‑year World Series drought. The Brewers would need to replicate that improbable comeback, which would go down as one of baseball’s greatest stories.