Dodgers One Win From World Series After Dominant NLCS Game 3 Victory
When the Los Angeles Dodgers clanged out a 3‑1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, October 16, 2025, the postseason buzz in Los Angeles turned into a roar. The victory in Game 3 of the National League Championship SeriesDodger Stadium put the Dodgers three games up, just one win away from a repeat World Series appearance.
Game 3 Recap: Pitching Duel and Key Hits
Right from the first pitch, the atmosphere felt electric. Tyler Glasnow, the 31‑year‑old starter for the Dodgers, logged 5.2 innings of one‑run baseball, fanning eight and issuing three walks. He kept the Brewers off balance with a mix of late‑curve sliders and a high‑fastball that seemed to chase the strike zone.
On the other side, the Brewers tried an opener strategy that backfired faster than a dropped fly ball. Right‑hander Aaron Ashby managed a single out before being yanked, a move Sports Illustrated later called “a poor choice.” He was quickly replaced by 24‑year‑old Jacob Misiorowski, who settled in for five innings, surrendering just three hits and the lone earned run.
The offensive spark came early. Leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani snapped a painful 0.074 batting average in the postseason with a triple in the bottom of the first, finally breaking a slump that had seen him go 2‑for‑25. His extra‑base hit was the first postseason triple of his career, a fact that slipped past many analysts.
One batter later, Mookie Betts followed up with an RBI double to right‑center, plating Ohtani and giving the Dodgers a 1‑0 lead that never wavered.
Milwaukee tied it in the second on a sac fly, but a crucial defensive play by first baseman Max Muncy—a diving grab at first that stepped out the runner—kept the game in Los Angeles’ hands.
Strategic Moves: The Brewers' Opener Gambit
The Brewers' decision to start with an opener was meant to confuse the Dodgers’ lineup, but the plan unraveled faster than a cheap parachute. According to an insider who asked to remain anonymous, the coaching staff hoped Ashby would “set up a left‑handed specialist later.” Instead, his early exit forced Misiorowski, a right‑hander, into a longer stint, giving the Dodgers a predictable matchup.
Dodger beat writer Jack Harris summed it up: “The opener was a gamble that paid off for Milwaukee only in the briefest flash—then the Dodgers took over.” Columnists Dylan Hernandez and Bill Plaschke echoed that sentiment, noting the Dodgers’ bullpen, which had been “beleaguered all season,” finally showed up when it mattered most.
Dodgers' Postseason Journey So Far
- Sept. 25, 2025 – Clinched NL West title for the fourth straight year.
- Oct. 2, 2025 – Swept the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card Series.
- Oct. 9, 2025 – Defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in four games in the NLDS.
- Oct. 16, 2025 – Took a 3‑0 lead in the NLCS with a 3‑1 win.
The Dodgers entered the 2025 postseason as the third seed, riding a historic start to the regular season that saw them go 8‑0 – the first defending champion ever to begin a season undefeated through eight games. That early surge helped them secure their 13th consecutive postseason appearance, a franchise record dating back to a September 19, 2025 clinch.
Adding to the drama, three‑time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw announced on Sept. 18 that he would retire after the season, a decision that cast a nostalgic shadow over the team’s quest for back‑to‑back titles.
What This Means for a Potential Back‑to‑Back Title
Should the Dodgers win Game 4 on Friday, they’ll not only punch their ticket to the World Series but also become the first team in franchise history to repeat as champions. The 2024 championship, their eighth overall, was already a milestone; a repeat would cement the 2025 squad as one of the most resilient in recent memory.
Analytics guru Dr. Elena Ramirez of the Sports Analytics Institute points out that “no NLCS team has ever come back from a 0‑3 hole in a best‑of‑seven, so the odds are heavily in Los Angeles’ favor.” She adds that the Dodgers’ bullpen, which posted a collective ERA of 2.94 in the regular season, finally “found its rhythm” after years of ups and downs.
Meanwhile, the Brewers’ management faces a crossroads. Their opener experiment, while innovative, may need a rethink if they want to stay alive in October. Brewers’ manager Craig Counsell admitted after the game, “We’ll go back to the drawing board tomorrow; we’ve got to be better than that.”
Looking Ahead: Game 4 and the World Series Picture
Game 4 is slated for Friday, October 17, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. If the Dodgers clinch the series, they’ll await the winner of the American League Championship Series – currently a showdown between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros. Both clubs have shown power‑hitting prowess this postseason, meaning the Dodgers could face a slugfest in the Fall Classic.
Fans across California have already started printing “World Series ‘25” shirts, betting on a repeat that would be the first for Los Angeles since the 1970s. Even the city’s mayor, Karen Bass, hinted at a possible “Victory Parade” should the Dodgers bring the trophy home again.
In the meantime, the players are staying focused. “One game at a time,” Glasnow told reporters after the win. “We’ve got to keep the momentum and finish what we started.”
Key Facts
- Score: Dodgers 3, Brewers 1
- Winning Pitcher: Tyler Glasnow (5.2 IP, 8 K)
- Key Hits: Shohei Ohtani triple, Mookie Betts RBI double
- Series Lead: Dodgers up 3‑0 in the NLCS
- Next Game: Oct. 17, 2025, Game 4 at Dodger Stadium
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Dodgers' 3‑0 lead affect the Brewers' chances?
Historically, no team has rallied from a 0‑3 deficit in a best‑of‑seven MLB series. The Brewers would need to win four straight games, a feat that has never been accomplished, making their odds astronomically low.
Who are the likely World Series opponents for the Dodgers?
The American League Championship Series is currently a duel between the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros. Both clubs have deep rosters and strong pitching staffs, so whichever emerges will present a formidable challenge to Los Angeles.
What impact does Clayton Kershaw’s retirement have on the team?
Kershaw’s departure leaves a leadership void on the mound, but it also opens a slot for younger arms like Dylan Cease to step up. The team’s depth has been tested all season, and the transition appears to be smoothing out just in time for the postseason.
Why did the Brewers use an opener in Game 3?
Milwaukee hoped an opener would disrupt the Dodgers’ timing and force a series of left‑handed matchups. The strategy backfired when Aaron Ashby lasted only one out, giving the Dodgers a chance to settle against a right‑handed pitcher for the bulk of the innings.
What does a repeat championship mean for the Dodgers franchise?
A back‑to‑back World Series would be the first in Los Angeles’ history, cementing the 2024‑2025 squads as one of the most dominant eras. It would also boost the club’s brand value, increase attendance, and reinforce the organization’s reputation for building winning teams.