The Milwaukee Brewers took a 3-0 series lead in the NLCS after defeating the Dodgers 6-2 in Game 3, moving within one win of their first World Series appearance since 1982.
The Brewers extended their dominance in the National League Championship Series, securing a 6-2 victory over the Dodgers in Game 3 to take a 3-0 series lead. With the win, Milwaukee is now one game away from its first World Series berth since 1982, after a 44-year drought. The victory also sets up a potential historic matchup, as the Brewers could become the first team to sweep the Dodgers in a postseason series after being swept by them in 2025.
Game 3 Highlights
The Brewers struck early and often, with leadoff hitter Jackson Chourio launching a first-pitch home run off Blake Snell in the top of the first inning. Chourio’s 412-foot drive off Snell’s 97.3-mph fastball gave Milwaukee a 1-0 lead and set the tone for the game. The Dodgers responded in the sixth, with Will Smith’s two-run double tying the game at 2-2, but the Brewers’ offense exploded in the seventh inning. Jake Bauers, after a 11-pitch at-bat, launched a two-run homer to put Milwaukee ahead 3-2. Garrett Mitchell followed with a solo shot, extending the lead to 4-2 and sending Dodger Stadium into stunned silence.
Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, struggled to maintain control after the first inning, allowing four runs on four hits over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out nine batters but walked two and surrendered three home runs, including the back-to-back shots by Bauers and Mitchell. The Brewers’ bullpen, meanwhile, held strong, with DL Hall and Trevor Megill limiting the Dodgers to one run in the final two innings.
Historical Context
The Brewers’ 3-0 series lead puts them in rare company. In MLB history, only the 2004 Red Sox have come back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven postseason series, defeating the Yankees to win their first World Series since 1918. The Dodgers, now facing elimination, would need a similar miracle to advance to a third consecutive World Series. If the Brewers win the next two games, they would not only reach the World Series but also make history as the first team to sweep the Dodgers in a postseason series after being swept by them the previous year.
The Dodgers’ struggles were compounded by injuries and inconsistent offense. Shohei Ohtani, who entered the series with a .150/.261/.150 batting line, was considered for benching ahead of Game 3. The team’s failure to hit a home run in the NLCS and their inability to capitalize on base runners—despite loading the bases in multiple innings—highlighted their offensive woes.
Dodgers’ Struggles
The Dodgers’ collapse in Game 3 was emblematic of their broader postseason challenges. After taking a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning, they failed to score again, as Milwaukee’s defense and bullpen stifled their offense. Abner Uribe, who replaced starter Robert Gasser in the sixth, walked three batters and surrendered Smith’s two-run double, but the Brewers extended their lead. The Brewers’ ability to respond with two home runs in the seventh inning demonstrated their resilience, a stark contrast to the Dodgers’ inability to maintain momentum.
The Brewers are one win away from their second-ever World Series appearance! pic.twitter.com/dWiYMncfgX
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts made several strategic moves, including moving Ohtani down to the sixth spot in the batting order and pinch-hitting Max Muncy in the sixth inning. However, those adjustments failed to spark a sustained rally. The Dodgers’ offense, which had been dominant in the regular season, has struggled to adapt to Milwaukee’s pitching and defensive strategies in the playoffs.
The Brewers’ success has been built on a combination of clutch hitting, situational baseball, and strong defense. Unlike many teams that rely heavily on home runs, Milwaukee has demonstrated a versatile approach, using small ball, base running, and timely hitting to secure wins. This strategy has proven effective against the Dodgers, who have struggled to counter the Brewers’ multifaceted attack.
With the series now at 3-0, the Brewers are positioned to make history. A win in Game 4 would send them to the World Series, where they would face the winner of the American League Championship Series. The Dodgers, meanwhile, must regroup quickly, as a loss in Game 4 would mark their earliest playoff exit.
"I'm excited to see what it's all about, compete and go for a World Series" Rookie Cooper Pratt joined @SophiaMinnaert to talk a variety of topics before making his postseason debut in Game 1 pic.twitter.com/e1ogMqj1Ph
>