The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed themselves on the precipice of a return to the World Series, securing a commanding 3-0 lead in the National League Championship Series with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 on Thursday, October 16, 2025. This latest triumph at Dodger Stadium pushes the defending champions to within a single win of advancing to the Fall Classic for the second consecutive year, continuing their impressive postseason journey with an 8-1 record.
Game 3: Edman’s Heroics Spark Dodgers’ Sixth-Inning Rally
The pivotal Game 3 saw a tight contest until the sixth inning, where the Dodgers finally broke through against the Brewers’ pitching staff. Tyler Glasnow delivered a strong performance on the mound, pitching 5 2/3 innings and allowing just one run while striking out eight batters. The early action saw the Dodgers strike first in the bottom of the first inning. Shohei Ohtani ignited the offense with a leadoff triple, snapping a recent drought without an extra-base hit, and was promptly driven in by Mookie Betts’ RBI double, giving Los Angeles a 1-0 lead.
Milwaukee managed to tie the game in the second inning when Caleb Durbin tripled and scored on an RBI single. However, a critical defensive play by Max Muncy, a diving stop with the infield drawn in, prevented the Brewers from taking the lead in that same inning, preserving the tie. The deadlock was eventually broken in the bottom of the sixth. After Will Smith singled and Freddie Freeman worked a walk, Tommy Edman delivered the go-ahead RBI single to center field, plating Smith. The Dodgers then extended their lead to 3-1 when Freeman scored on a throwing error by Brewers reliever Abner Uribe, a play that has become a recurring theme for Milwaukee in this series.
Bullpen Solidifies Dominance on Path to Victory
Following Glasnow’s departure, the Dodgers’ bullpen stepped up to shut down the Brewers’ offense. Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, Anthony Banda, and closer Roki Sasaki combined to allow just one baserunner over the final 3 1/3 innings. Sasaki, who has been a key component in the Dodgers’ postseason relief structure, secured his third save of the playoffs by pitching a perfect ninth inning. This bullpen performance underscored a revitalized relief corps that has been instrumental in the team’s postseason success, providing a clear structure and reliability when it matters most.
Postseason Dominance and Historical Trajectory
The Dodgers’ 8-1 postseason record places them on a trajectory for one of the most dominant playoff runs in modern baseball history. This current team has demonstrated remarkable resilience, often coming through in crucial moments despite a regular season that was considered inconsistent by their high standards. They are effectively ‘getting hot at the right time,’ a sentiment echoed by players like Tommy Edman.
The contrast with the Brewers is stark. Milwaukee, having entered the series as the team with the best regular-season record in baseball, has struggled offensively, managing only three runs on nine hits across the first three games. Their potent lineup has been largely stifled by Dodgers starters, who have combined for an impressive ERA in the series. Furthermore, the Brewers have extended their postseason road losing streak to 10 games dating back to 2018, a significant hurdle in their quest to overcome the deficit.
Looking Ahead: World Series in Sight
With the series advantage secured, the Los Angeles Dodgers are now focused on closing out the National League Championship Series. Shohei Ohtani is slated to start Game 4, with the team aiming to complete a sweep and advance to the World Series. The team’s collective mentality, described as having a ‘slow heartbeat’ and the ability to stay level-headed in high-pressure situations, has been a key factor in their current trending performance. As the latest sports news indicates, the Dodgers are not just winning; they are dominating, positioning themselves as formidable contenders to repeat as World Series champions.
The Dodgers’ consistent ability to perform in October baseball, coupled with their strategic bullpen management and timely hitting, has them on the brink of another championship appearance. The city of Los Angeles awaits the final confirmation of their team’s journey back to the Fall Classic, with Game 4 set to potentially clinch their spot.
