In a heart-pounding postseason showdown, the Los Angeles Dodgers narrowly escaped with a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS opener, thanks to a pitching masterpiece—but the drama on the field might leave you questioning the very rules of the game! Did the Dodgers just pull off a classic win, or was luck on their side against a Brewers team that dominated them all season? Stick around, because this recap dives deep into the highs, the lows, and one wild play that's got fans buzzing everywhere.
MILWAUKEE—On a thrilling Monday night at American Family Field, the Los Angeles Dodgers weathered a fierce comeback attempt from the Milwaukee Brewers, ultimately claiming a hard-fought 2-1 triumph in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. Powered by the stellar pitching of Blake Snell and a clutch home run from Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers held on, proving once again why they're the postseason powerhouses to beat.
The Brewers, known for their scrappy style and incredible defense, threw everything they had at the Dodgers. They executed what might be the most bizarre double play in playoff history, turning a potential game-changing moment into a routine out. But let's not get ahead of ourselves—here's where it gets controversial. The Dodgers relied on old-school fundamentals: solid pitching, timely hitting, and a bullpen that stepped up when it mattered most. In an era of high-scoring games and flashy plays, was this a throwback to simpler baseball days, or did the Brewers' aggressive tactics change the game in ways we haven't fully appreciated yet?
Blake Snell, the Dodgers' ace and a two-time Cy Young Award winner, delivered one of the most dominant pitching performances ever seen in the postseason. Facing the minimum number of batters over eight innings, he struck out 10, allowed just one hit—a single up the middle by Caleb Durbin in the third—and didn't walk anyone. His command was impeccable, inducing 11 ground balls and limiting fly balls to just one all night. For beginners, this means Snell kept the ball on the ground, making it hard for the Brewers to get runners on base or hit home runs, showcasing why he's considered a top pitcher.
Snell achieved a historic milestone: He became the first pitcher in postseason history to rack up at least 10 strikeouts, surrender only one hit, and issue no walks in eight innings. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised him effusively, calling him 'a bona fide ace' who makes the team feel unbeatable on the mound. And this isn't just hot streak talk—Snell boasts a minuscule 0.68 ERA over his last six starts, covering 40 innings, allowing just 15 hits while striking out 56. In three playoff outings this year, he's undefeated at 3-0, with a 0.86 ERA, seven hits in 21 innings, and 28 strikeouts.
Despite missing much of the regular season due to injuries—limiting him to just 11 starts—Snell has already justified his massive five-year, $182 million free-agent contract in his debut year with the Dodgers. Andrew Friedman, the team's president of baseball operations, reflected on Snell's growth over 12 years since drafting him for the Tampa Bay Rays. 'Just getting a chance to watch that maturation... we felt really strongly that not only could he help us in the regular season... but what he would bring to our staff in October,' Friedman said, highlighting how Snell's October heroics are a core part of his identity.
That stability from Snell was crucial, as the Dodgers leaned on their bullpen late. Closer Roki Sasaki struggled in the ninth, allowing a run and leaving runners at the corners with two outs. Roberts turned to veteran Blake Treinen, who walked William Contreras to load the bases but struck out Brice Turang to seal the win. And this is the part most people miss—the Brewers' rally nearly stole the show, but the Dodgers' composure under pressure won the day.
Earlier in the game, the Dodgers had a chance to break it open in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Max Muncy launched a 404-foot cutter from Quinn Priester toward the center-field wall—a potential grand slam that could have put the game out of reach. But Brewers center fielder Sal Frelick made a leaping catch, the ball bounced off the yellow stripe and back into his glove, ruling it a live ball, not a catch.
Confusion reigned. The Dodgers froze, thinking it was either over the fence or caught. Teoscar Hernandez, tagging up at third, dashed for home, but Frelick's throw beat him to the plate for an out. Meanwhile, catcher William Contreras sprinted to third as Will Smith, believing the ball was caught, hesitated then tried to advance. Too late—Smith was forced out at third, completing a bizarre 8-6-2 double play (for non-baseball fans, that's catcher to shortstop to first baseman). Roberts challenged the call via replay, but it was confirmed: Hernandez out at home, ball not caught, double play upheld. The Brewers celebrated wildly, and the crowd erupted in disbelief.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, this marked the first 8-6-2 double play in postseason history—a play that looked routine on paper but was anything but in execution. Friedman acknowledged the Brewers' strengths: their speed, defense, disciplined approach at the plate, and deep roster that carried them through a long 162-game season. He joked that the Dodgers were just happy to win one game against a team that swept them 6-0 in the regular season. But as he noted, playoffs are different: 'Those games weren’t played in October.' This is the Dodgers' time, and they proved it again.
— Bob Nightengale
Here's how Game 1 unfolded in detail:
Dodgers hang on in the ninth for 2-1 win
The Brewers pushed a run across and loaded the bases with two outs, putting the go-ahead run in scoring position. But Blake Treinen struck out Brice Turang to end the game, preserving the victory.
Dodgers add insurance run in ninth
In the top of the ninth, Abner Uribe loaded the bases with two outs before walking Mookie Betts on a full count, driving in a run to extend the Dodgers' lead to 2-0.
Blake Snell keeps it going into the ninth
The Dodgers' left-hander breezed through the eighth inning, and NLCS Game 1 headed to the ninth with the Dodgers clinging to a 1-0 lead. Snell struck out 10 and gave up only one hit in eight innings, but would likely hand off to Roki Sasaki for the ninth.
To the eighth: Dodgers 1, Brewers 0
Blake Snell completed his seventh scoreless inning, facing the minimum batters with nine strikeouts. At 91 pitches, the Dodgers' bullpen remained untouched, suggesting he'd take the mound for the eighth.
Blake Snell dominating through six
Blake Snell faced the minimum 18 batters through six innings, tallying eight strikeouts and no walks on just 77 pitches. The only hit was a second-inning single by Caleb Durbin, whom Snell promptly picked off.
Freddie Freeman home run breaks the deadlock
Freddie Freeman, last year's World Series MVP, launched a solo home run off Chad Patrick with one out in the top of the sixth, scoring the game's first run. It was Freeman's first homer of the 2025 postseason.
Brewers escape on absolutely insane play
With the bases loaded and one out, Max Muncy's drive to the center-field wall bounced off Sal Frelick's glove and the wall, then was snagged before hitting the ground—a live ball, not a catch. Baserunners froze in confusion, and Teoscar Hernandez was thrown out at home trying to score from third in a weird 8-6-2 forceout. Will Smith failed to advance to third and was forced out, completing the double play.
Quinn Priester takes over for Brewers
Milwaukee's right-hander Quinn Priester relieved opener Aaron Ashby in the second inning. He walked Max Muncy but stranded him with a strikeout of Enrique Hernandez to end the inning. In the third, he retired Andy Pages, Shohei Ohtani, and Mookie Betts to keep the score 0-0. The Dodgers had no hits through three innings. Priester was a standout for the Brewers this season, posting a 13-3 record with a 3.32 ERA in 157.1 innings.
Aaron Ashby puts up a zero in the first
Brewers opener Aaron Ashby, nephew of two-time All-Star Andy Ashby, worked around a leadoff walk to Shohei Ohtani in a scoreless first. He got Mookie Betts and Teoscar Hernandez before striking out Freddie Freeman, leaving Ohtani stranded. Ashby appeared four times in the five-game NLDS against the Cubs.
When is Shohei Ohtani pitching? Dave Roberts won't say
MILWAUKEE—With Blake Snell starting Game 1 and Yoshinobu Yamamoto slated for Game 2, Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow are set for starts once the series moves to Los Angeles. Asked if he'd decided their matchups, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said yes—but kept the details under wraps, flashing a smile.
Aaron Ashby starts Brewers' pitching parade
MILWAUKEE—Brewers manager Pat Murphy is laser-focused on Game 1 while planning ahead. With just two true starters, the Brewers will depend heavily on their bullpen across the seven-game series, which has only two off days. Overusing relievers early could backfire later. 'Win tonight, but when you get to about Game 4, you better be careful of what you've done to your pitching staff,' Murphy warned. 'It might show up in Game 4, Game 5.' He added Tobias Myers to the roster for longer outings, replacing Nick Mears, who excels in short stints. 'Comes down to depth and quality of depth,' Murphy said.— Nancy Armour
Dodgers lineup today
1. Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
2. Mookie Betts (R) SS
3. Teoscar Hernández (R) RF
4. Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
5. Will Smith (R) C
6. Tommy Edman (S) 2B
7. Max Muncy (L) 3B
8. Enrique Hernández (R) LF
9. Andy Pages (R) CF
Brewers lineup
1. Jackson Chourio (R) RF
2. Christian Yelich (L) DH
3. William Contreras (R) C
4. Brice Turang (L) 2B
5. Andrew Vaughn (R) 1B
6. Sal Frelick (L) CF
7. Caleb Durbin (R) 3B
8. Isaac Collins (S) LF
9. Joey Ortiz (R) SS
Dodgers NLCS roster
The Dodgers added right-handed pitcher Ben Casparius, replacing third catcher Dalton Rushing, likely to ease the load on Will Smith, who dealt with a fractured right hand in September and early playoffs. They'll also include veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw, despite his rough Game 3 NLDS outing against the Phillies, where he allowed five runs (four earned) in two innings.
What do you think? Was Snell's dominance the real hero here, or did the Brewers' bizarre double play steal the spotlight—and maybe even the momentum? Do you agree that playoffs change everything, or should regular-season records play a bigger role in our perceptions? Share your thoughts in the comments—let's debate!
