When Will Smith, catcher of the Los Angeles Dodgers scored on a one‑run single from Tommy Edman, Los Angeles Dodgers in the bottom of the sixth, the series‑changing 3‑1 victory over the Brewers was sealed. The game unfolded on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, propelling the Dodgers to a 3‑0 lead in the National League Championship Series (NLCS). Jacob Misiorowski, pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, entered with runners on the corners but could not halt the surge, while closer Hiromi Sasaki, reliever for the Dodgers, locked the door in the ninth. A spectacular diving stop by second baseman Michael Massey highlighted the Dodgers’ defensive grit.
- Final score: Dodgers 3, Brewers 1
- Series: Dodgers lead 3‑0
- Location: American Family Field, Milwaukee, WI
- Key players: Will Smith, Tommy Edman, Jacob Misiorowski, Hiromi Sasaki, Michael Massey
- Next game: Game 4 set for October 17, 2025
Game Overview and Key Moments
The opening innings were a tug‑of‑war. Milwaukee drew first blood in the top of the third on a solo homer by Caleb Durán, while Los Angeles answered back with a run in the fourth when Tyler Anderson’s grounder found a hole and rolled to the plate. By the end of the fifth, the scoreboard read 1‑1, setting the stage for a dramatic sixth.
Turning Point: Sixth Inning Breakthrough
That sixth inning turned into a cascade of mistakes and clutch hits. After a leadoff walk, Tommy Edman slipped a line‑drive single past the right‑field wall, and Will Smith sprinted home on a double‑play error that forced Milwaukee infielder Wendel Clark Aribe to make a second throwing miscue of the series. The misplay allowed Freddy Freeman to dash home, pushing the lead to 2‑1. Misiorowski, who had been tasked with smoothing things out, struck out Tioscar Hernández on a sharp slider, but the damage was done. Two pitches later, a harmless fly turned into a run‑scoring error, and the Dodgers padded the score to 3‑1.
Pitching Performances and Defensive Highlights
Tyler Anderson, the Dodgers’ opening starter, kept Milwaukee at bay through five solid innings, surrendering just one run on four hits and striking out seven. The Brewers countered with Jacob Misiorowski, who logged 1.2 innings, notching a strikeout but also watching a run score on an error. In the ninth, Hiromi Sasaki entered the fray, fanning Blake Treinen and coaxing a pop‑up from Félix Bautista for the final out. Meanwhile, Michael Massey’s diving grab in the fourth innings prevented what could have been a two‑run rally, underscoring why the Dodgers’ defense has been hailed as a “third pitching staff.”
Reactions from Managers and Players
Brewers manager Pat Murphy tried to shake things up, pulling in reliever Abner Uribe in the sixth to face Hernández. “We knew the innings were critical, and we gave Uribe a chance,” Murphy said post‑game. “It just didn’t work out.” The Dodgers’ bench, however, wore confidence like a second skin. “We’re playing our game, and the guys are delivering,” said veteran outfielder Caleb Durán, who, despite a triple and a double, admitted the loss was tough. “We’ll be back, but right now we’re focused on Game 4.”
Implications for the NLCS and World Series Outlook
A 3‑0 lead in a best‑of‑seven series is a mountain most teams never summit. If the Dodgers clinch Game 4, they will have swept the Brewers and will meet either the New York Yankees or Cleveland Guardians in the World Series – a rematch of the 2024 fall classic for many fans. The Dodgers’ postseason ERA sits at a tidy 2.85, thanks to a rotation anchored by Anderson and a bullpen trio of Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech, and Sasaki. That statistical edge, combined with a .312 team batting average in the playoffs, makes them the heavy favorites.
Historical Context and What This Means for Milwaukee
The Brewers’ last NLCS appearance was in 2021, when they fell to the Atlanta Braves in six games. Their 92‑70 regular‑season record earned them the National League Central crown, but the jump to a championship series has exposed depth concerns, especially in the infield. Wendel Clark Aribe’s errors this series underline a larger narrative: under pressure, the Brewers have struggled to execute fundamentals. For Milwaukee fans, a sweep would sting, but the city’s baseball culture remains resilient; the next season promises a rebuild with young arms like Tyler Glasnow (who was scratched in the sixth) poised to take larger roles.
What to Watch in Game 4
Right‑hander Walker Buehler is slated to start for Los Angeles, while the Brewers will counter with Freddy Peralta. With the Dodgers’ offense humming and their bullpen rested, the key battle will be whether Milwaukee can generate early runs to disrupt Buehler’s rhythm. Expect another showdown between high‑velocity fastballs and the Dodgers’ disciplined hitting approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Dodgers' 3‑0 series lead affect the Brewers' chances?
A three‑game deficit in a best‑of‑seven leaves Milwaukee needing to win four straight—a feat achieved in only 3% of NLCS history. The psychological edge shifts heavily toward Los Angeles, and the Brewers must capitalize on any pitching mismatch to stay alive.
Who were the standout performers in Game 3?
Will Smith’s timely RBI single and Tommy Edman’s go‑ahead hit drove the offense, while Hiromi Sasaki’s clean ninth‑inning appearance sealed the win. On defense, Michael Massey’s diving stop was a highlight, and Jacob Misiorowski’s strikeout of Hernández offered a brief glimpse of Milwaukee’s potential.
What does the series outcome mean for the World Series picture?
If Los Angeles completes the sweep, they will face either the New York Yankees or Cleveland Guardians, setting up a matchup of two franchises that have dominated the last six World Series. The Dodgers would enter with an 8‑1 postseason record, underpinning their status as favorites.
How did Milwaukee’s regular‑season performance compare to its NLCS showing?
The Brewers posted a 92‑70 record and won the NL Central, but the NLCS highlighted shortcomings in infield defense and bullpen depth. Errors by Wendel Clark Aribe and limited run production have exposed a gap between regular‑season success and postseason pressure.
What are the key matchups to watch in Game 4?
Watch Dodgers ace Walker Buehler against Brewers starter Freddy Peralta, and see if Milwaukee can exploit any early‑inning innings to break Buehler’s rhythm. The battle between Buehler’s fastball‑slider combination and the Brewers’ left‑handed batters will be crucial.