Dodgers Stun Brewers 2-1 in NLCS Game 1 Behind Blake Snell’s Masterpiece
When Blake Snell, left‑handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers threw eight shutout innings in Game 1 of the 2025 National League Championship SeriesAmerican Family Field, the Dodgers seized a 2‑1 lead that could set the tone for the rest of the series. Freddie Freeman supplied the decisive run with a sixth‑inning solo homer, while Patrick Joseph Murphy, the Brewers’ manager, watched a loaded‑bases ninth dissolve into a gut‑punch loss.
Series Overview and Game 1 Recap
The NLCS kicked off on Monday, October 13, 2025, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a city that had just endured a grueling five‑game NLDS against the Chicago Cubs. The Brewers entered the series with one roster tweak from the NLDS squad, but the Dodgers made two notable changes: they added right‑hander Ben Casparius and left off catcher Dalton Rushing. The Dodgers’ rotation featured Snell, right‑hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and veteran Tyler Glasnow, with two‑way star Shohei Ohtani slated as a designated hitter and occasional pitcher.
Snell’s line read eight innings, one hit, zero walks, ten strikeouts and no runs – a performance the Brewers’ staff described as "perhaps the most dominant by an opposing pitcher" in Murphy’s decade‑long tenure. Freeman’s towering solo shot in the sixth broke a 0‑0 stalemate, and the Dodgers’ bullpen, anchored by Blake Treinen, shut the door on a bases‑loaded ninth.
Roster Moves and Lineup Changes
Both clubs submitted 26‑player rosters on October 12. The Brewers’ lone adjustment was the activation of reliever Colin Rea in place of a struggling left‑hander from the NLDS. The Dodgers, meanwhile, added a fresh arm in Casparius to bolster depth, while the decision to cut Rushing signaled a shift toward a more defense‑oriented catching crew.
Key positions look as follows:
- First Base: Freddie Freeman – veteran left‑handed bat, 35, 30‑year‑old MVP candidate.
- Catcher: Will Smith (starter) with backup Austin Barnes.
- Designated Hitter / Pitcher: Shohei Ohtani – 31‑year‑old two‑way superstar.
- Starting Rotation: Snell, Yamamoto, Glasnow, Gerrit Cole, and Corey Seager (spot start).
Pitching Matchups and Strategic Angles
The Dodgers’ advantage on the mound is obvious. Snell’s dominant outing gave Los Angeles a 2‑0 lead in the series, and Yamamoto is set to start Game 2 against Brewers right‑hander Freddy Peralta. Peralta, coming off a short rest after the NLDS, will need to leapfrog the Brewers’ bullpen fatigue that plagued their ninth‑inning effort.
Analysts note that the Brewers’ five‑game stretch against Chicago left their last starter, Corbin Burnes, on a tighter schedule than any of the Dodgers’ arms. That disparity could become more pronounced as the series shifts to Dodger Stadium for Games 3‑5, where the high altitude and smaller foul territory favor power hitters like Ohtani and Freeman.
Expert Commentary from the All Dodgers Podcast
During the October 12, 2025 episode of the “All Dodgers” podcast, hosts Clint Robinson, Jeff Snider, and Kevin Skinner broke down the series position by position. Robinson summed up the opening win as "one Blake" needed to tilt the early odds, emphasizing that Snell’s performance bought the Dodgers a psychological edge.
Snider highlighted the Brewers’ “stretched” rotation, noting that Peralta’s start is “their best chance” but comes with a mileage penalty. Skinner added that the Dodgers’ depth at the DH spot, courtesy of Ohtani, gives them flexibility that “most teams wish they had.” The trio agreed that if the Dodgers can keep the pressure on the Brewers’ bullpen, the series could swing heavily in Los Angeles’ favor.
Looking Ahead: Game 2 and Beyond
Game 2 is slated for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 7:38 PM Central Time. The matchup pits Peralta against Yamamoto, a duel that could decide whether the Brewers can claw back into the series or fall into a 0‑2 hole. Should the Brewers manage a win, the series would reset to a best‑of‑five with the Dodgers still possessing home‑field advantage for the remaining games.
If the Dodgers capture Game 2, they will head to Los Angeles with a commanding 2‑0 lead, forcing the Brewers to win three straight to survive. The next three games at Dodger Stadium will test Milwaukee’s resilience, especially given the travel fatigue and the Dodgers’ potent offense.
- Key dates: Game 1 – Oct 13, 2025; Game 2 – Oct 14, 2025; Games 3‑5 – Oct 17 onward.
- Potential World Series matchup: Whoever wins the NLCS will face the ALCS victor for the 2025 World Series.
- Stat spotlight: Snell’s 10 K, 0 BB line is the lowest walk total in a NLCS debut since 2002.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Blake Snell’s Game 1 performance impact the Dodgers’ chances?
Snell’s eight‑scoreless innings give Los Angeles a 2‑0 series lead and, more importantly, a morale boost. Historically, teams that win the first two games at home win the NLCS about 68 % of the time, so his mastery dramatically improves the Dodgers’ odds.
What changes did the Brewers make to their roster for the NLCS?
The Brewers altered just one spot: they activated reliever Colin Rea, swapping him for a left‑hander who struggled in the NLDS. The core of their lineup—Peralta, Burnes, and a strong bullpen—remains unchanged.
Why is Game 2 considered a pivotal matchup?
Game 2 pits the Brewers’ ace, Freddy Peralta, against the Dodgers’ “ace‑in‑waiting,” Yoshinobu Yamamoto. A win for Milwaukee would halt the Dodgers’ momentum and keep the series even; a loss would put the Brewers on the brink of elimination.
What role does Shohei Ohtani play in this series?
Ohtani serves as both a designated hitter and occasional starter, giving the Dodgers a unique tactical edge. His presence forces the Brewers to plan for both a power bat and a potential pitcher in the lineup, stretching their defensive alignments.
When and where will the remaining NLCS games be played?
Games 3, 4, and 5 (if needed) shift to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, beginning Friday, October 17, 2025. The Dodgers enjoy home‑field advantage for those contests.
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