The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a narrow 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) on October 14, 2025. The win was highlighted by a historic performance from pitcher Blake Snell, who delivered eight dominant innings, allowing just one hit and striking out ten batters.
The Dodgers’ strategy benefitted from Snell’s recent success in the postseason, particularly his ability to perform under pressure. In contrast, the Brewers opted for a less conventional approach, starting with left-handed pitcher Aaron Ashby as an opener. Ashby lasted only one inning, handing the ball to Quinn Priester for the bulk of the game.
Despite Snell’s exceptional outing, the game was not without its challenges. The Dodgers faced several missed opportunities early on, particularly in the fourth inning when a bizarre double play thwarted a scoring chance. With the bases loaded and one out, Max Muncy hit a deep fly ball that bounced off the glove of center fielder Sal Frelick and then off the wall. The confusion among baserunners led to a double play, effectively ending the Dodgers’ rally.
In the sixth inning, the Dodgers finally broke through with a home run from Freddie Freeman, giving them a 1-0 lead. Freeman’s shot over the right field wall energized the Dodgers and set the stage for a crucial insurance run in the ninth inning. Following a walk to Mookie Betts, the Dodgers loaded the bases, leading to a walk that forced in another run, extending their lead to 2-0.
The Brewers attempted to mount a comeback in the ninth, facing pressure from the Dodgers’ bullpen. Roki Sasaki, who had been effective in previous outings, showed signs of struggle. After allowing a walk and a ground-rule double, Sasaki was replaced by Blake Treinen. Treinen managed to escape the jam by striking out Brice Turang with the bases loaded, sealing the victory for the Dodgers.
This win marks a significant achievement for Snell, who became the first pitcher in Dodgers franchise history to complete at least eight innings while allowing one hit or fewer in a postseason game. His final line—eight innings pitched, one hit, no runs, no walks, and ten strikeouts—underscored his dominance on the mound.
The Dodgers now lead the NLCS 1-0, with Game 2 scheduled for tomorrow at 2:08 PM HT/5:08 PM PT/8:08 PM ET. The matchup will feature Yoshinobu Yamamoto looking for redemption after a challenging outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, facing off against Brewers ace Freddy Peralta. The stakes are high as both teams vie for a crucial win in this best-of-seven series.