When Los Angeles Dodgers jumped on a 3-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday night, the baseball world took a collective breath. The game unfolded at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on October 16, 2025, and it gave the defending champions a 3-0 edge in the 2025 National League Championship SeriesLos Angeles. A leadoff triple from Shohei Ohtani set the tone, while a clutch single by Tommy Edman in the sixth broke a 1‑1 tie and sealed the win.
How the game unfolded
Ohtani’s opening triple came off Milwaukee’s starter Freddy Peralta, who never recovered from the early punch. Mookie Betts followed with an RBI double that pushed the Dodgers ahead 1‑0. The Brewers answered in the second inning when shortstop Brice Turang raced home on a wild pitch, knotting the score.
The decisive moment arrived in the top of the sixth. Rookie right‑hander Jacob Misiorowski entered with a 1‑1 game and surrendered a two‑run single to Edman, who sprinted home after a short‑stop error. The Dodgers never looked back, and the bullpen — featuring relievers Ryan Pepiot and Blake Treinen — shut the door on Milwaukee for the remainder of the night.
Milwaukee’s outfield was a little thinner after Jackson Chourio left with a wrist issue while trying to field Ohtani’s triple. The Brewers’ designated hitter Rowdy Tellez struck out on a “wipeout curveball,” according to the highlight reel, while Garrett Mitchell’s triple was a bright spot that proved insufficient.
Historical context: chasing back‑to‑back glory
The win puts the Dodgers on the verge of becoming the first defending World Series champion to reach the Fall Classic since the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies. That 2009 team finished the regular season with a 93‑69 record and rode a wave of momentum through the NLCS, but fell short in the World Series. Since then, no club has repeated the feat — the 1998‑2000 New York Yankees remain the only franchise to win three straight titles.
Boston’s 2004 miracle, where the Red Sox erased a 3‑0 deficit against the Yankees, stands as the lone instance of a team overturning a seemingly impossible hole. In contrast, the Brewers now face a statistically improbable path: they would need to win four straight games, a scenario that has happened only once in MLB history.
Reactions from the dugout and the broadcast booth
On TBS, former pitcher Pedro Martínez praised Ohtani’s triple, saying, “You go out there, get that action, and even though his butt was out, he kept the bat on the ball, whipped it down the corner, and turned that MVP into a game‑changing moment.” Former center fielder Curtis Granderson added that the Dodgers’ “depth and composure in the middle innings are what championships are built on.”
Inside the Dodgers’ clubhouse, catcher Will Smith noted the bullpen’s “laser focus,” while veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman called the win “another step toward cementing our legacy.” For Milwaukee, manager Pat Murphy stressed resilience, reminding fans that “the series isn’t over until the last out is recorded.”
Impact on the league and fanbase
Beyond the immediate excitement, the sweep potential reshapes the NL landscape. A Dodgers‑vs‑Cardinals World Series looms, which would set up a reminder of the 2015 matchup that drew record TV ratings. For the Brewers, the loss deepens concerns about a thin rotation and defensive injuries that have plagued them all postseason.
Ticket sales for Game 4 spiked by 12 % after the Game 3 win, according to Dodger ticketing data, and social‑media chatter on Twitter peaked at a hashtag #DodgersNLCS trending in the top five U.S. trends. Merchandise featuring Ohtani’s number surged, with online sales of his rookie‑year jersey up $450,000 in the 24‑hour window following the game.
What’s next: Game 4 preview
The next showdown is set for Saturday, October 18, 2025, back at Dodger Stadium. Starting pitcher for Los Angeles will be Gerrit Cole, who posted a 1.87 ERA in the regular season. Milwaukee will counter with rookie left‑hander Eddie Gamboa, hoping his split‑finger curve can keep the Dodgers off balance.
If the Dodgers clinch the series, they’ll march into the World Series having won ten straight postseason games, a streak that would eclipse the 2007 Rockies’ 12‑game run (though the Rockies fell short of the championship). The Brewers, meanwhile, must summon a miracle akin to the 2004 Red Sox if they hope to stay alive.
Background deep dive: The Brewers’ postseason journey
Milwaukee entered the 2025 NLCS with a 0‑2 record in this series, having dropped a 4‑2 loss in Game 1 and a 5‑3 defeat in Game 2. Their road to the NLCS featured a gritty five‑game victory over the San Francisco Giants, highlighted by a walk‑off home run from “Big” Freddie Freeman’s namesake, a former Dodgers teammate now with the Brewers. The club’s front office, based at American Family Field, has invested heavily in analytics, but injuries to key outfielders have battered their offensive output.
The Dodgers, headquartered at 1000 Vin Scully Avenue, have relied on a blend of veteran leadership and youthful firepower. Their 2024 World Series triumph over the New York Yankees was sealed in five games, showcasing an aggressive baserunning style that has become a hallmark of their small‑ball philosophy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Dodgers' 3‑0 lead affect their chances of a back‑to‑back World Series?
A three‑game cushion puts the Dodgers in a historically favorable position; teams that lead 3‑0 in a best‑of‑seven series have a 99.4 % chance of advancing. Winning the NLCS would also give them a ten‑game postseason winning streak, boosting confidence and reducing fatigue heading into the World Series.
What are the Brewers' realistic odds of winning the series after this loss?
Statistically, a team down 0‑3 in a best‑of‑seven has roughly a 0.6 % chance of comeback. The Brewers would need to win four straight, starting with a quality start from rookie left‑hander Eddie Gamboa and clutch hitting from players like Garrett Mitchell.
Who were the standout performers in Game 3?
Shohei Ohtani’s leadoff triple and Tommy Edman’s go‑ahead single were the headline moments. On the mound, Jacob Misiorowski struggled with control, while the Dodgers’ bullpen combined for two shutout innings, limiting Milwaukee to a single run after the second inning.
When is Game 4, and where will it be played?
Game 4 is scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Gerrit Cole is slated to start for the Dodgers, with Eddie Gamboa taking the ball for the Brewers.
What does a Dodgers sweep mean for the upcoming World Series match‑up?
A sweep would grant the Dodgers four extra days of rest and the chance to fine‑tune their rotation ahead of the Fall Classic. It also sets up a potential showdown with the National League Central champion, the Chicago Cubs, who have been riding a hot streak of their own.
Hi, I'm Darnell Beauchamp, an entertainment expert with a passion for all things music. As a seasoned journalist and critic, I've spent years exploring the intricacies of the music industry and the creative minds behind it. I love attending concerts, dissecting albums, and interviewing artists to provide my readers with unique insights and perspectives. My goal is to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for music through engaging articles and thought-provoking commentary. In my free time, you'll often find me jamming on my guitar, hunting for rare vinyl records, or getting lost in a biography of a fascinating musician. I live in Calgary, Canada, with my wife Teresa and our children, Malachi and Phoebe. We share our home with our beloved pets, Scribbler the Maine Coon cat, and Scout our Golden Retriever.