The Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Milwaukee Brewers 6-2 in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday, giving Milwaukee a commanding 3-0 series lead. The Dodgers now face elimination in Game 4 on Thursday at Dodger Stadium, needing to win four straight games to advance to the World Series.
Dave Roberts’ tactical decisions draw scrutiny
Manager Dave Roberts faced criticism for key decisions in the loss. In the third and fifth innings, with runners on base and no outs, Roberts opted not to call for a sacrifice bunt from Tommy Edman, instead allowing him to swing away. Edman flew out both times, leaving runners stranded. Roberts later explained his rationale, stating he preferred giving Edman a chance to drive in runs rather than sacrificing an out. The Dodgers finished the game 3-for-32 with runners in scoring position in the postseason.
In the sixth inning, with the Brewers leading 1-0, Roberts brought in Max Muncy to face left-handed pitcher Abner Uribe, who had walked the first two batters. The move took Andy Pages out of the game; Pages had been one of the Dodgers’ most productive hitters in October. The Brewers capitalized on the shift, scoring five runs over the next two innings to secure the victory.
Brewers’ offensive explosion seals series advantage
The Brewers’ offense exploded in the seventh inning, with Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell hitting back-to-back home runs off Dodgers starter Blake Snell to take a 4-2 lead. Snell, who had allowed just one run in six innings, was pulled after the homers. Jackson Chourio had earlier hit a leadoff home run off Snell, marking the first time in the series the Dodgers’ ace had given up a home run.
Milwaukee’s bullpen delivered 3.2 scoreless innings to close out the game, with Robert Gasser earning the win and Devin Williams recording the save. The Brewers’ pitching staff limited the Dodgers to two runs on five hits, while their offense capitalized on early mistakes.
Dodgers turn to Tyler Glasnow for must-win Game 4
With their backs against the wall, the Dodgers will start Tyler Glasnow in Game 4 on Thursday. Glasnow, who has been the team’s No. 3 starter, will have no margin for error. The Dodgers’ rotation, which includes three Cy Young winners (Snell, Glasnow, and Tarik Skubal), has been outmatched by the Brewers in the series. Skubal acknowledged the urgency, stating, “It’s win or go home.”
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made significant investments in the rotation, including signing Snell for $182 million and Yamamoto for $325 million, but the team has struggled to generate offense. Utility man Kiké Hernández expressed confidence in Glasnow, saying, “Everybody in the team is very confident in his ability and the stuff that’s coming out of his hand.”
Series outlook and historical context
The Brewers now need just one more win to advance to the World Series, while the Dodgers must win four straight games to avoid elimination. The last time a team came back from a 3-0 deficit in the NLCS was in 1985, when the St. Louis Cardinals rallied to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Brewers, meanwhile, are seeking to return to the World Series for the first time since 2018 and avenge their loss to the Dodgers in last year’s NLCS.