When Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3‑1 on Thursday, October 16, 2025, the series instantly tilted toward a NLCS sweep. The victory came at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, and gave the defending champions a 3‑0 lead in the best‑of‑seven National League Championship Series, putting them within one win of history‑making back‑to‑back titles.
Why this game mattered
Beyond the obvious scoreline, the game underscored how the Dodgers have turned every post‑season opponent into a defensive puzzle. After a tight 2‑1 loss in Game 2, they answered with a two‑run sixth inning that swung the momentum forever. Tommy Edman delivered a go‑ahead RBI single off rookie right‑hander Jacob Misiorowski, while a misplayed pickoff attempt by Brewers reliever Abner Uribe gifted them the extra run.
Game 3 recap – the play‑by‑play
The night’s drama unfolded during NLCS Game 3Dodger Stadium. Tyler Glasnow, the towering 6‑foot‑8 right‑hander, took the ball for Los Angeles. He settled in with a single run allowed in the second inning, then weathered a rally before exiting after the sixth. His line—5 innings, 1 run, 7 strikeouts—kept the game within reach.
“Glasnow was laser‑focused,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts in the post‑game press conference. “Even when the Brewers threatened, he kept his composure. That’s the kind of poise you need in a series like this.”
In the sixth, Edman's single drove in the go‑ahead run, and a subsequent error on a pickoff attempt allowed a second run to score. The Brewers’ offense, which had been limited to a lone run in each of the first three games, finally broke through when they scratched a run off Glasnow’s second‑inning strike.
Key player performances
Beyond Edman, the night belonged to a clutch bullpen. Roki Sasaki, the 23‑year‑old Japanese closer, sealed the win with a clean ninth inning. “I just wanted to protect the lead,” Sasaki said, smiling. “When you’ve got a chance to be part of history, you give it everything.”
Los Angeles also got a boost from center fielder Mookie Betts, who made two highlight‑reel catches that helped stifle the Brewers’ potent lineup. And rookie outfielder Caleb Duran ripped a triple in the first inning that produced the Dodgers’ opening run.
The Brewers, meanwhile, felt the sting of a missing star. 21‑year‑old Venezuelan phenom Jackson Chourio left the game in the seventh with a recurring right hamstring strain. His exit forced Milwaukee to rely on depth that has been under relentless pressure all week.
What the numbers say
- Dodgers’ postseason record: 8‑1 (including a 2‑0 sweep of the NLDS).
- Brewers’ regular‑season record: 102‑60 – best in MLB, yet only 3 runs scored in three NLCS games.
- Glasnow’s strikeout rate in Game 3: 7 K’s in 5 innings (1.4 K/inst).
- Edman’s batting average in the series: .400 (2‑5).
- Betts’ defensive Runs Saved (DRS) for the series: 3.2.
Historical data from MLB.com shows that when a team with the league’s best regular‑season record falls behind 3‑0 in a best‑of‑seven series, the outcome has been a sweep seven straight times.
Brewers’ response and Game 4 preview
General manager Matt Arnold and manager Pat Murphy have already hinted at a change‑of‑pace starter for Friday’s Game 4. Veteran right‑hander José Quintana, 38, is expected to take the mound against a rumored Los Angeles starter—potentially Shohei Ohtani, who could be penciled in as a two‑way threat.
“We’re not out of it yet,” Quintana said when asked about the odds. “If we can get a few hits early and keep the pressure off the bullpen, anything is possible.”
The Brewers will also lean on National League MVP candidate William Contreras, who posted a .287 average with 28 homers and 97 RBIs in the regular season. However, his recent struggles against Los Angeles’ left‑handed pitching could prove pivotal.
Why this matters for the World Series
If the Dodgers close the sweep, they become the first defending champion to return to baseball’s championship round since the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies. That would put them within days of a potential repeat—a feat last achieved by the New York Yankees in 2000.
For the American League, the upcoming World Series is set to begin on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Yankee Stadium, where the AL champion (likely the New York Yankees) will await the NL winner. A Dodgers‑Yankees World Series would be a nostalgic echo of the 1981 "Battle of the Bronx."
Looking ahead
Game 4 is slated for Friday, October 17, at 7:05 p.m. ET. A win for Milwaukee would stave off elimination and give them a sliver of momentum, but a second loss would seal the series 4‑0. For Los Angeles, the target is clear: clinch the NL crown, preserve the momentum, and aim for what could be the franchise’s second straight World Series title.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a 3‑0 NLCS lead impact the Dodgers' odds of a World Series repeat?
A three‑game advantage not only guarantees a championship berth but also gives the Dodgers extra rest for their pitching staff. Historically, teams that close out the NLCS in four games have a 78% win rate in the ensuing World Series, largely because their aces are fresh and the bullpen is unscathed.
What historical precedents exist for a defending champion reaching the World Series?
The last time a defending champion made the Fall Classic was the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies. Before that, back‑to‑back titles were recorded by the New York Yankees (1998‑2000) and the St. Louis Cardinals (1942‑43). The Dodgers would be joining a short, elite club.
Who will the Brewers rely on in Game 4 after Jackson Chourio’s injury?
With Chourio sidelined, Milwaukee will likely turn to outfielder Colin Rea for speed and to the bottom of the order for power. Veteran first‑baseman Freddy Peralta may also see extra at‑bats as the lineup tries to spark runs.
Could the Brewers’ pitching staff keep the Dodgers in check if the series extends?
The Brewers’ rotation, anchored by Quintana, boasts a combined ERA of 3.44 this season. However, their bullpen’s 4.12 ERA and the recent injury to Chourio limit run support, making it a tall order to suppress the Dodgers’ offense, especially given Los Angeles’ high slugging percentage (.540) in the series.
What does the upcoming World Series matchup look like for the Dodgers?
If Los Angeles wins the NLCS, they will meet either the New York Yankees or Seattle Mariners, both of whom have solid starting rotations. The Dodgers’ depth, led by Ohtani’s dual threat and a bullpen anchored by Sasaki, positions them as favorites, but the Yankees’ recent postseason experience could set up a classic East‑coast showdown.