Dodgers Edge Brewers 3-1, One Win From Back‑to‑Back World Series
When Tyler Glasnow, the 32‑year‑old right‑hander for the Los Angeles Dodgers, delivered a dominant start on October 17, 2025, the Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3‑1 at Dodger Stadium. The win put L.A. just one game away from a second straight World Series appearance and left Milwaukee staring at a historic 0‑3 hole.
Background: A Rivalry That Defined the 2025 NLCS
The National League Championship Series kicked off on October 12, 2025, after both clubs posted impressive regular‑season numbers. The Dodgers finished the season 104‑58, topping the NL West, while the Brewers logged a 97‑65 record to clinch the NL Central. Both teams entered the postseason with veteran cores and a mix of rising stars, setting the stage for a tightly contested series.
Los Angeles, owned by Stan Kasten and managed by Dave Roberts, leaned heavily on its pitching depth. Milwaukee, under Mark Attanasio, relied on a balanced lineup anchored by former MVP Christian Yelich and a breakout year from outfielder Jackson Chourio.
Game 3 Recap: Pitching Takes Center Stage
Starting pitcher Aaron Ashby, pitched as an opener for Milwaukee, lasting just three innings and surrendering two runs. He left the ball in the hands of the bullpen, but the Brewers never found a rhythm. Meanwhile, Glasnow mixed a 94 mph fastball with a sharp slider, striking out six and walking just one over six innings. The lone Dodgers run came on a solo home run by Mookie Betts in the fourth inning.
The Dodgers’ bullpen, featuring reliever Brusdar Graterol, shut the door in the final three frames. Graterol, who had a "shaky" outing in Game 2, struck out two and induced a double play, earning praise from podcast host Jake Mintz.
- Final score: Dodgers 3, Brewers 1
- Glasnow: 6 IP, 1 R, 6 K, 1 BB
- Ashby: 3 IP, 2 R, 4 H
- Dodgers’ runs: Betts HR (4th), stolen base by Manny Machado (5th), RBI groundout by Freddie Freeman (7th)
Key Performances and Injury Concerns
Jackson Chourio left the game in the sixth inning after feeling tightness in his left calf. The Brewers lost a speedster who had been batting .312 in the postseason so far. Christian Yelich, meanwhile, went 0‑for‑3 with two strikeouts, extending a postseason slump that has haunted him since the NLDS.
On the Dodgers side, two‑way star Shohei Ohtani is slated to take the mound for Game 4. At 31, Ohtani already boasts a 2024 AL MVP award and has logged 12 regular‑season wins this year. The prospect of him pitching on short rest has sparked speculation that L.A. could close the series in a single game.
Analyst Reactions: Why the Dodgers Look Unstoppable
Broadcaster Chuck Freimund highlighted the Dodgers’ “pitching dominance” as the series’ defining factor. “Glasnow’s command is something we haven’t seen this deep into a postseason in years,” he said on the Locked On MLB podcast. Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s young right‑hander Jacob Misiorowski delivered a “glimmer of hope” in relief, striking out three in a brief fifth‑inning appearance.
Jake Mintz of the Baseball Bar‑B‑Cast podcast summed it up: “It’s not pretty for the Brewers. The Dodgers are simply out‑pitching them, and their bullpen is locking the door.” The sentiment was echoed across social media, where fans pointed to the Dodgers’ sub‑1.00 ERA in the series so far.
Implications of a 0‑3 Deficit: History Check
Only the 2004 Boston Red Sox have ever overturned a 0‑3 loss in MLB postseason history. The Brewers now join an exclusive list of teams that have faced elimination after three straight defeats. Statistically, a team down 0‑3 has a 0.1% chance of winning the series, according to a 2023 analytics study from FiveThirtyEight.
Milwaukee’s front office, aware of the odds, is reportedly considering an aggressive lineup shuffle for Game 4, potentially inserting power hitter William Contreras into the third spot. The move could force the Dodgers’ bullpen to work harder, but with the recent performance of Graterol and Misiorowski, L.A. appears confident.
Looking Ahead: Game 4 and Beyond
If Ohtani takes the mound as scheduled, the Dodgers could clinch the series in a 5‑3 victory. Ohtani’s season numbers—5.6 K/9, 2.91 ERA—suggest he can dominate the Brewers’ lineup, which has hit .254 as a team this postseason.
Should the Brewers force a Game 5, they would need to win two games on the road, a feat no team has achieved in the NLCS era. The psychological edge, however, firmly belongs to Los Angeles, whose fans are already chanting “We Want Two!” for back‑to‑back championships.
Organizational Perspectives: Ownership and Future Plans
Dodgers CEO Stan Kasten told reporters after Game 3, “Our goal is simple: bring another trophy home. The players have earned this chance, and we intend to make the most of it.” In Milwaukee, owner Mark Attanasio said, “We’re proud of how far we came. It’s a tough spot, but we’ll fight every inning.”
Both clubs will also feel the ripple effects of the series on upcoming free‑agency decisions. The Dodgers’ success could solidify long‑term contracts for pitchers like Glasnow, while the Brewers may reassess their bullpen composition ahead of the offseason.
Broader MLB Context: Parallel Series
While the NL sees the Dodgers on the brink, the American League Championship Series continues to heat up. The Toronto Blue Jays have evened their series with the Seattle Mariners at two games apiece after a dramatic double‑header in Seattle. The outcomes of both leagues will shape the narrative heading into the 2025 World Series.
- Key facts
- Game 3 final: Dodgers 3, Brewers 1
- Series lead: Dodgers 3‑0
- Tyler Glasnow: 6 IP, 1 R, 6 K
- Shohei Ohtani slated to start Game 4
- Brewers historical 0‑3 deficit odds: 0.1%
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a 0‑3 deficit affect the Brewers' chances of winning the NLCS?
Historically, only one team—the 2004 Red Sox—has ever recovered from a 0‑3 hole. Recent analytics put the odds at roughly one in a thousand. The Brewers would need to win four straight games, two of which must be on the Dodgers’ home field, making the task nearly impossible without a seismic shift in performance.
What makes Tyler Glasnow's Game 3 performance stand out?
Glasnow mixed velocity and movement with surgical precision, striking out six batters while issuing just one walk. His fastball touched 96 mph, and his slider generated a high‑rate whiff rate. In a series where the Dodgers have allowed a sub‑1.00 ERA, Glasnow’s ability to keep the Brewers off the scoreboard was pivotal.
Who is likely to start Game 4 for the Dodgers?
Two‑way superstar Shohei Ohtani is slated to take the mound. The team announced his start on Thursday night, and Ohtani’s 5.6 K/9 rate and 2.91 ERA make him the most dangerous pitcher in the series.
How does this series compare to past NLCS comebacks?
The only NLCS comeback from a 0‑3 deficit happened in 1981 when the Dodgers (yes, the same franchise) beat the Astros in a best‑of‑5 format. Modern best‑of‑7 series have never seen a reverse of a 3‑0 lead, underscoring how rare the Brewers’ situation truly is.
What impact could Shohei Ohtani have if he pitches Game 4?
Ohtani brings a dual threat—elite pitching paired with a bat that can change games in an instant. If he matches his regular‑season form, the Dodgers could shut down the Brewers’ lineup entirely, likely clinching the series. Even a modest outing could shift momentum dramatically in Los Angeles’ favor.
