Blake Snell's Masterclass Propels Dodgers to NLCS Game 1 Win Over Brewers

When Blake Snell, a left‑handed pitcher for Los Angeles Dodgers threw eight scoreless innings on Monday, October 13, 2025, the crowd at American Family Field witnessed a turning point in the NLCS. The Dodgers edged the Milwaukee Brewers 2‑1, seizing a 1‑0 series lead in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy saw his bullpen stretched thin, while Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts watched his defense hold firm in a nail‑biting finale.

Background: A Rivalry Written in the Regular‑Season Record

Before the postseason clash, the two teams had met six times during the 2025 regular season, and the Brewers swept each encounter, outscoring the Dodgers 31‑16. Those games, played in July, gave Milwaukee a psychological edge, but the postseason is a different animal. The Dodgers entered the series with a 93‑69 record, clinching the NL West, while the Brewers posted a 97‑65 mark to top the NL Central and a formidable 52‑29 home record at American Family Field.

Game‑by‑Game Breakdown

First Inning: Milwaukee opened the scoring with an errant pitch from Brewers opener Aaron Ashby. He walked first‑baseman Freddie Freeman and was promptly pulled after recording just one out. The Dodgers answered in the bottom half when Shohei Ohtani slugged a double that set up the eventual go‑ahead run.

Fourth Inning: Snell’s dominance shone. He struck out the side, then, in a flash of defensive brilliance, picked off rookie outfielder Caleb Durbin at first. The Brewers managed to load the bases later in the inning, but a daring pick‑off disguised as a routine check kept the game tight.

Ninth Inning Drama: With two outs and the bases loaded, left‑fielder Christian Yelich drew a walk, threatening to flip the script. Roberts called on right‑handed reliever Blake Treinen, who induced a ground‑ball double play to seal the victory.

Key Performances and Stats

• Blake Snell: 8 IP, 10 K, 1 H, 0 R – his first NLCS start since a shoulder inflammation stint.
• Freddie Freeman: .295 AVG, .367 OBP, .502 SLG (regular season) – 1 RBI in Game 1.
• Shohei Ohtani: 55 HR, 102 RBI (regular season) – delivered the pivotal double.
• Christian Yelich: 29 HR, 103 RBI (regular season) – forced a walk in the ninth.
• Pat Murphy: First full season as Brewers manager – opted for an opener strategy that back‑fired.

Managerial Moves: Risks and Rewards

Roberts’ decision to pull Ashby after a single inning was bold, but it paid off as Snell settled in. The veteran Dodgers manager also trusted Treinen with the high‑pressure final outs, a move that highlighted his confidence in the bullpen’s depth.

Murphy, on the other hand, tried to exploit a left‑handed opener against a lineup packed with right‑handed power. The plan fizzled, and his reliance on a short‑stint bullpen exposed the Brewers’ lack of a true workhorse starter in the series opener.

Betting Angles and What the Numbers Say

Pre‑game odds from ESPN pegged Los Angeles as -130 favorites, indicating a 56.6 % implied probability of winning Game 2. The Brewers were listed at +108 (48.4 %). After Snell’s shutout, sharp bettors will likely adjust the line, especially given the Dodgers’ 41‑40 road record versus Milwaukee’s dominant home performance.

Why This Win Matters

Beyond the scoreboard, the victory shifts momentum. The Brewers’ regular‑season sweep seemed to suggest a psychological advantage, yet the Dodgers’ ability to rebound in a hostile environment underscores their postseason pedigree. The win also re‑establishes the narrative of a veteran‑led Dodgers squad—Roberts, Snell, Freeman, Ohtani—overcoming adversity.

Historically, the two teams’ only postseason meeting was the 2020 NL Wild Card Series, which the Dodgers swept en route to a World Series championship. That precedent adds a subtle edge; the Dodgers now have the chance to repeat that success, while the Brewers aim to rewrite the script.

Looking Ahead: Game 2 and Beyond

Game 2 is slated for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 4:03 AM UTC. If the Dodgers can maintain their pitching dominance, they’ll look to stretch the series lead to 2‑0. Conversely, the Brewers will likely revert to a traditional starter, possibly giving the ball back to veteran right‑hander Corbin Burnes, who has a 2.12 ERA at home this season.

The series could tilt quickly. A win for Milwaukee would level the series, restore confidence, and set up a potential home‑field advantage for Games 3‑5. A second Dodgers win, however, would put the NL Central champion on the brink, forcing them to travel to Los Angeles under the weight of a 2‑0 deficit.

Historical Perspective: NLCS Trends

Since 2000, teams that win the first two games of the NLCS go on to clinch the series 71 % of the time. The Dodgers, with five NLCS appearances in the past decade, are no strangers to handling pressure. Their last NLCS victory came in 2020, when they rode a 3‑1 lead to a World Series title.

For the Brewers, this is only their second NLCS appearance since 2018. Their 2025 campaign marked the most home wins in franchise history, amplifying the stakes of a potential home victory in Game 2.