Dodgers Edge Brewers 2-1 in NLCS Game 1 Behind Blake Snell's Pitching

When Blake Snell, the 32‑year‑old left‑handed starter who signed a five‑year, $182 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2023, delivered six dominant innings, the Dodgers clinched a 2‑1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the 2025 National League Championship Series. The win, sealed at American Family Field on Monday, October 13, 2025, gave the defending champions a crucial 1‑0 series lead and set the tone for a postseason that could see back‑to‑back World Series titles.

Game‑Day Recap: How the Dodgers Won

The early innings were a showcase of timing and power. In the bottom of the first, Shohei Ohtani leapt off the bench and tripled to the left‑center field wall, instantly putting the Dodgers on the board. One batter later, Mookie Betts drove a double that brought Ohtani home, delivering the game's first run.

The Brewers answered in the second inning. Jake Bauers lined an RBI single off Snell, knotting the score at 1‑1. But the Dodgers' offense stayed poised. A sacrifice fly by Freddie Freeman in the fourth added the decisive run, and the scoreboard stayed that way for the rest of the night.

Snell's line read six innings, one run, five hits, seven strikeouts and one walk – a performance that anchored a collective Dodgers starter ERA of 1.54 for the entire postseason.

Key Performances: Stars and Unsung Heroes

Beyond Snell, the Dodgers’ bullpen proved rock‑solid. Closer Evan Phillips entered in the eighth and navigated a loaded ninth‑base scenario, inducing a double play from William Contreras to seal the win.

For the Brewers, starter Andy Ashby was chased after just two innings, rattled by early hits. The lack of run support in the later innings ultimately became his undoing.

Managerial moves also mattered. Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts stuck with Snell through the sixth, trusting his veteran poise. Brewers manager Pat Murphy made an early hook, bringing in reliever Trevor Megill, but the damage was already done.

Strategic Implications: What This Means for the Series

From a tactical standpoint, the Dodgers now have the luxury of playing with a one‑run cushion. Their rotation—anchored by Snell, Walker Buehler, and Julio Urías—has already shown a sub‑2.00 ERA across the postseason, forcing the Brewers to chase runs rather than pitch conservatively.

The Brewers, meanwhile, must lean on the depth of their bullpen and find ways to manufacture offense against a pitching staff that’s been razor‑sharp. If they can get a timely hit from Corbin Carroll or a clutch RBI from Christian Yelich, the series could swing back quickly.

Historical Context: Chasing Back‑to‑Back Glory

Los Angeles enters Game 1 with a unique narrative. The last defending champion to reach the World Series was the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies. Even more striking, no team has won consecutive titles since the 1998‑2000 New York Yankees dynasty. A Dodgers victory would rewrite a decade‑long drought for repeat champions in the National League.

The 2‑3‑2 format adds another layer: the next two games move to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. If the Dodgers capture Games 2 and 3 at home, they’ll head back to Milwaukee with a 3‑0 lead, putting the Brewers on the brink of elimination.

What’s Next: Looking Ahead to Game 2 and Beyond

Game 2 is slated for Tuesday, October 14, at 8:07 PM Eastern Time. Dodgers manager Roberts is expected to start Walker Buehler, who has a 0.78 ERA in the playoffs so far. The Brewers will likely turn to Jacob Misiorowski, the 21‑year‑old rookie who posted a 2.10 ERA in his brief regular‑season appearances.

Fans should keep an eye on bullpen usage. If Phillips works a full three innings in Game 1, the Dodgers may need to lean on setup man Mitch White earlier in the series. The Brewers, on the other hand, have a deep late‑innings corps anchored by Brad Boxberger, but their effectiveness against a lineup featuring both Ohtani and Betts remains untested.

Key Takeaways

• Blake Snell delivered a masterful six‑inning start, limiting Milwaukee to one run.
• The Dodgers’ offense generated runs early, with Ohtani’s triple and Betts’ double providing the margin.
• Dodgers bullpen, especially Evan Phillips, shut down a late Brewers rally.
• Los Angeles now leads 1‑0 in a series that could see back‑to‑back World Series appearances.
• Historical pressure mounts: the last NL team to repeat as champion did so in 1990 (Cincinnati Reds).