The Los Angeles Dodgers’ pursuit of a third consecutive National League title faces significant obstacles after a second straight loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Championship Series (NLCS). On Monday at American Family Field, the Dodgers were defeated 7-4, falling behind two games to none in the best-of-seven series.
The Dodgers, who had never trailed 2-0 in their previous two championship runs, struggled to match the Brewers’ resilience and pitching depth. Their starting pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, was removed in the third inning after allowing multiple runs, extending his uncharacteristically short outing. The Brewers’ rookie starter, Logan Henderson, despite committing two errors, limited the Dodgers’ offense to three hits. Leading hitters Will Smith and Shohei Ohtani continued to slump, with Smith going 1-for-23 and Ohtani 3-for-20 against Milwaukee pitching.
After Henderson exited following four innings, the Brewers’ bullpen took control, delivering five perfect innings and setting a postseason record by accomplishing that feat. The Dodgers had several opportunities late in the game to rally, leading at multiple points only to have the Brewers quickly respond. The Dodgers’ eighth-inning at-bat ended fruitlessly, with strikeouts by key players Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, as well as a groundout from Teoscar Hernández.
Milwaukee sealed the win with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, capped by three singles, before the Dodgers went quietly in the ninth inning. Former World Series hero Miguel Rojas concluded the game with a strikeout, underscoring the Dodgers’ offensive faltering.
Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the challenge the team faces heading into Game 3 at Dodger Stadium, where Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow will start Games 3 and 4, respectively. Although both pitchers are considered strong starters, neither has impressed in the postseason so far, and the psychological pressure remains high.
A critical turning point in Monday’s contest was a 12-pitch walk drawn by Jake Bauers in the third inning, loading the bases and eventually leading to a two-run single by Christian Yelich off an exhausted Yamamoto. Brewers’ star William Contreras also played a pivotal role, hitting a game-tying home run in the fifth inning and a go-ahead single in the sixth. Some questioned the decision to intentionally walk Brice Turang ahead of Contreras in the sixth, a move that facilitated the Brewers’ decisive rally.
Roberts expressed frustration with the Dodgers’ failure to challenge certain umpire calls using the ABS system, specifically in early innings against Turang, which allowed the Brewers to gain momentum. He also pointed out the adverse impact of Smith’s performance behind the plate on Yamamoto’s outing.
Despite the setbacks, Roberts remains hopeful about the Dodgers’ chances but emphasizes the necessity of winning Game 3 to avoid an insurmountable deficit. The focus now shifts to Dodger Stadium, where home fans are expected to either witness a spirited comeback or a sudden end to the Dodgers’ championship bid.