When Blake Snell, starting pitcher for Los Angeles Dodgers threw a masterclass on Monday, October 13, 2025, at American Family Field in Milwaukee, the defending World Series champions secured a 2‑1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the 2025 National League Championship Series. The victory snapped the Brewers’ confidence after they’d owned the regular‑season ledger at 104‑58, the best record in MLB, and had swept all six meetings with the Dodgers earlier that summer.
Game 1 Recap: A Pitcher’s Duel and a Nail‑Biting Finish
Snell, returning from shoulder inflammation that sidelined him for much of the season, logged eight strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits. He mixed a heavy sinker with a sharp curveball, keeping the Brewers off‑balance. The lone run came in the third inning when a bloop off the bat of Freddie Freeman slipped through the left‑field wall. That was all the offense the Dodgers needed, but the drama didn’t stop there.
In the bottom of the ninth, Milwaukee loaded the bases with two outs. A daring squeeze attempt by Garrett Mitchell turned into chaos when the ball ricocheted off his glove, triggering the first 8‑6‑2 double play ever recorded in a postseason game. The play, described by ESPN as “one of the craziest you’ll ever see,” sealed the win for Los Angeles.
Key Performances and Historic Moments
Beyond Snell’s dominant outing, several other performances stood out:
- Freddie Freeman’s clutch single that produced the decisive run.
- Garrett Mitchell’s near‑catch that sparked the historic double play.
- Brewers left‑hander Aaron Ashby opening the game as an “opener,” a strategy borrowed from the 2023 season.
Pat Murphy, the Brewers’ 66‑year‑old manager, tried to shake things up by using a left‑handed opener, but the Dodgers’ lineup adjusted quickly. “We trusted our bullpen plan, but Snell forced us to play catch‑up,” Murphy said in the post‑game interview.
What the Numbers Say
Stat geeks will love these tidbits:
- Snell’s strike‑out rate: 12 K’s in 8 innings (1.5 K/IP), the highest K‑per‑inning rate he’s posted all postseason.
- Brewers’ batting average on balls in play (BABIP) dropped to .176, well below the league average of .302.
- Both teams combined for just three hits after the third inning, underscoring the pitching duel.
- The game lasted 2 hours, 47 minutes—shorter than the average NLCS game length of 3 hours, 12 minutes.
Reactions from Managers and Players
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Snell’s poise. “He showed us why we trust him in big moments. That’s the kind of performance that sets the tone for a series,” Roberts remarked.
Meanwhile, Brewers ace Freddy Peralta (who will start Game 2) stayed calm. “We knew it would be tight. We just have to keep grinding and trust our game plan,” he told reporters.
Looking Ahead to Game 2
Tuesday’s showdown features a fresh duel: 26‑year‑old Japanese right‑hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Los Angeles against the Brewers’ 28‑year‑old right‑hander Freddy Peralta. Yamamoto, a former Pacific League MVP, boasts a 2.68 ERA in the regular season and will look to replicate his 2024 postseason brilliance.
The series follows the classic 2‑3‑2 format, so the next two games shift to Los Angeles if the Dodgers win Game 2. A win in Milwaukee would give the Brewers the momentum to potentially close the series in three, a scenario that feels like a fantasy for fans remembering the 2018 NLCS where Los Angeles prevailed in seven games.
Historical Context: Dodgers vs. Brewers
This is not the first time these clubs have met in a championship. The 2018 NLCS saw Los Angeles win in seven games before falling to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. Back then, the Dodgers were led by Clayton Kershaw, while the Brewers relied on a young core featuring Christian Yelich.
Fast forward to 2025, and the narrative has shifted. The Brewers entered the postseason as the team with the best regular‑season record, yet the Dodgers have a habit of rising when it counts. Their 2024 World Series win gave them a confidence edge that still shows in the clubhouse.
Ownership dynamics also play a role. The Dodgers are owned by Guggenheim Baseball Management, led by CEO Stan Kasten, while the Brewers are under the Attanasio Group with Mark Attanasio at the helm. Both groups have invested heavily in analytics, making each matchup a chess game of data and instincts.
Key Takeaways
- The Dodgers demonstrated that elite starting pitching can neutralize even the strongest regular‑season offenses.
- Milwaukee’s bullpen strategy, though innovative, couldn’t contain Snell’s late‑inning pressure.
- Historic moments—like the first 8‑6‑2 double play in postseason history—add a layer of intrigue that fuels fan excitement.
- Game 2 promises another high‑stakes duel, this time featuring two rising international talents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this result affect the Brewers' chances to reach the World Series?
Falling behind 0‑1 puts pressure on Milwaukee to win the next two games at home. The Brewers still have a talented roster and home‑field advantage, but they must capitalize early; otherwise, the series could swing back to Los Angeles, where the Dodgers have a proven track record of bouncing back.
What led to the Dodgers' pitching dominance in Game 1?
Blake Snell’s comeback from shoulder inflammation gave him a fresh arm, and his mix of sinker and curveball baffled Milwaukee hitters. Coupled with a solid defensive alignment, the Dodgers limited quality contact, resulting in a sub‑league‑average BABIP and only one run allowed.
Who are the key pitchers to watch in Game 2?
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Japanese ace with a 2.68 ERA in 2025, will start for Los Angeles. He brings a devastating fastball‑slider combo. Opposite him, Freddy Peralta, the Brewers’ 28‑year‑old right‑hander, relies on pinpoint control and a sharp changeup that has kept hitters off balance all season.
What was the significance of the 8‑6‑2 double play?
It marked the first time this rare combination occurred in postseason history, illustrating the split‑second decision‑making and athleticism required at the highest level. The play not only ended the Brewers’ rally but also became a instant talking point across the baseball world.
When is the next NLCS game scheduled?
Game 2 kicks off Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 8:08 p.m. ET (7 CT/5 PT) on the same field in Milwaukee. The broadcast will be on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max, presented by loanDepot.
