When Mookie Betts, center fielder for Los Angeles Dodgers drove in both runs with a two‑out single, the Los Angeles Dodgers seized a 2‑1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the 2025 National League Championship SeriesAmerican Family Field on Monday night. Blake Snell hurled five scoreless innings, while Blake Treinen locked down the ninth with a bases‑loaded strikeout to clinch the series opener.
- Final Score: Dodgers 2, Brewers 1
- Date: October 13, 2025
- Venue: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
- Winning Pitcher: Blake Snell (5 IP, 1 H, 6 K)
- Series Lead: Dodgers 1‑0
Why This Game Mattered
The NLCS opener set the tone for a rivalry that’s only grown hotter since the Dodgers beat the Brewers in the 2018 and 2020 Championship Series. Both clubs entered the postseason with sub‑.500 records, but they brought contrasting styles: Los Angeles leaned on veteran arms and clutch hitting, while Milwaukee relied on a youthful, high‑risk approach. The win not only gave the Dodgers a 1‑0 edge but also shifted momentum to their bullpen, which had been under scrutiny after a shaky regular season.
Pitching Showdown: Snell vs. Patrick
Blake Snell entered the game with a flawless 3‑0 postseason record. He retired the first 12 Milwaukee batters, effectively flirting with a no‑hitter through four innings. The only hit he surrendered was a single by Jackson Chourio in the fifth, which turned into an auto‑double after Teoscar Hernández mis‑played the ball.
On the opposite side, Chad Patrick struggled to find the zone, allowing two runs on three hits over 4.2 innings. His outing left him with a 0‑1 mark in the 2025 postseason. After Patrick’s removal, reliever Freddy Peralta inherited a jam with runners on first and second. He walked a batter and surrendered the decisive Betts single that broke the deadlock.
Key Moments: The Fifth Inning and the Ninth Drama
The turning point arrived in the top of the fifth. With two outs and runners at the corners, Mookie Betts lined a sharp two‑out single off Peralta, driving in both runs. The Dodgers took a 2‑0 lead, and the Brewers were forced to play catch‑up baseball.
The ninth inning was a roller‑coaster. After a leadoff walk to Tyrone Taylor, a single by catcher Omar Narváez set up runners at first and second. A deep fly to center by Jackson Chourio turned into an automatic double when Hernández bobbled it, pulling the Brewers within one. After a sacrifice fly by Garrett Mitchell made it 2‑1, the Dodgers intentionally loaded the bases.
Then, with the weight of the series on his shoulders, Blake Treinen fanned Andrew Vaughn and Brice Turang in succession, sealing the win. The crowd of 43,637 let out a collective sigh as the final strike echoed through American Family Field.
Managerial Takeaways
Brewers manager Pat Murphy was candid in the locker room: “We had chances, especially in that ninth, but Treinen made the pitches when he needed to. Credit to him and their bullpen for holding the lead.” He praised his staff’s resilience while acknowledging the need for tighter execution in high‑leverage spots.
Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts could barely hide his grin: “Blake was everything we hoped for and more. Five scoreless, one hit, six Ks. That’s championship‑caliber pitching right there.” Roberts also lauded Treinen’s composure, noting that a strikeout in a base‑loaded jam is the kind of performance that defines a title run.
Statistical Snapshot
The numbers underscore how razor‑thin the margin was. The Dodgers recorded three hits, two runs, and zero errors. Milwaukee managed four hits, one run, and one error (the misplay by Hernández). Both teams combined for 13 strikeouts, with Snell accounting for six and Treinen for three. The win probability calculator showed the Brewers hovering at 55% after the fifth‑inning rally, only to dip below 30% following Treinen’s ninth‑inning strikeouts.
What’s Next: Game 2 and the Road to the World Series
Game 2 is set for Tuesday, October 14, at the same venue. Milwaukee will counter with Freddy Peralta (14‑8, 3.87 ERA) on the mound, while the Dodgers will hand the ball to Tyler Glasnow (12‑9, 4.05 ERA). If the Brewers can tighten up their bullpen and capitalize on early scoring chances, they could swing the series momentum.
Beyond the NLCS, the winner will head to the 2025 World Series to face either the New York Yankees or Cleveland Guardians, who are battling it out in the ALCS. A Dodgers victory would give Los Angeles a chance to hoist the championship on home soil at Dodger Stadium on October 24, while a Brewers triumph would set up a rare World Series appearance for a franchise that has yet to win a title.
Historical Context: A Rivalry Rekindled
This is the third postseason matchup between the two clubs. The Dodgers prevailed in both previous NLCS meetings—first in a dramatic seven‑game series in 2018, then sweeping Milwaukee in 2020. Back then, Los Angeles leaned on its deep bullpen and veteran leadership, while the Brewers were a young, up‑and‑coming squad.
Now, nearly half a decade later, the narrative is flipped. Milwaukee has added seasoned arms like Peralta and a more aggressive offensive philosophy, while the Dodgers, despite a slower regular season, have leaned on postseason veterans who know how to win tight games. The series therefore feels like a chess match between experience and youthful vigor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect the Brewers' chances in the series?
Losing Game 1 puts Milwaukee in a do‑or‑die scenario. Statistically, teams that fall behind 0‑1 in a best‑of‑seven NLCS win only about 34% of the time, so the Brewers must exploit every scoring opportunity in Game 2 to stay alive.
What were the key factors behind Blake Snell's dominant performance?
Snell’s success stemmed from a mix of precise location and movement. He threw 68% of his pitches for strikes, kept his fastball near 95 mph, and mixed in a sharp breaking ball that baffled Brewers hitters, resulting in six strikeouts and just one hit.
Who are the likely starters for Game 2?
Milwaukee is expected to start right‑hander Freddy Peralta, who posted a 3.87 ERA during the regular season, while Los Angeles will likely hand the ball to left‑hander Tyler Glasnow, who earned a 4.05 ERA.
What does this series mean for the Dodgers' World Series aspirations?
A win in Game 1 puts Los Angeles in a strong position to clinch the NLCS at home, giving them an extra day of rest before the World Series begins on October 24 at Dodger Stadium. Their veteran core and deep bullpen are now seen as key assets for a deep postseason run.
How does this game compare to the previous NLCS meetings between the two clubs?
Unlike the high‑scoring 2018 Game 1, which ended 8‑3, this 2025 opener was a defensive battle decided by just two runs. The low‑scoring nature highlights tighter pitching and more strategic bullpen usage than the earlier matchups.