When Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 2‑1 in Game 1 of the 2025 National League Championship Series, the baseball world took notice. The clash unfolded on Monday, October 13, 2025, at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and featured a clutch performance by Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers’ 35‑year‑old first baseman, who delivered a sixth‑inning solo homer.
Game 2 is set for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 8:08 p.m. ET (7:08 p.m. CT / 5:08 p.m. PT) on the same field, pitching the Dodgers’ 26‑year‑old right‑hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto against the Brewers’ 28‑year‑old right‑hander Freddy Peralta. The series follows a 2‑3‑2 format, meaning the next three games move to Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles before potentially returning to Milwaukee for Games 6 and 7.
Series Overview and Schedule
- Game 1 – Oct 13, 2025 – American Family Field – Dodgers win 2‑1.
- Game 2 – Oct 14, 2025 – American Family Field – Pitching duel Yamamoto vs. Peralta.
- Game 3 – Oct 15, 2025 – Dodger Stadium (if needed).
- Game 4 – Oct 16, 2025 – Dodger Stadium (if needed).
- Game 5 – Oct 17, 2025 – Dodger Stadium (if needed).
- Game 6 – Oct 19, 2025 – American Family Field (if needed).
- Game 7 – Oct 20, 2025 – American Family Field (if needed).
The Dodgers entered the NLCS as National League West champions (98‑64) and defending World Series winners. The Brewers, who topped the National League Central with a league‑best 103‑59 record, earned their spot by sweeping the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS.
Game 1 Recap: Snell’s Near‑No‑Hitter
Los Angeles’ left‑hander Blake Snell, 32, threw eight one‑hit innings, allowing just a solitary run on a solo homer by the Brewers. The Dodgers broke through in the sixth when Freddie Freeman launched a clean shot to left‑center. In the ninth, Mookie Betts drew a bases‑loaded walk, sealing the win as the Brewers stranded a potential tying run at third.
Key Matchup: Game 2 Pitching Duel
Yamamoto, a former Japanese league star who logged a 1.68 ERA last season, will rely on his devastating fastball‑slider combo. Peralta, fresh off a 3.21 ERA in the regular season, counters with a pinpoint changeup. Analysts expect a low‑scoring affair; the last three NLCS Game 2s featuring a rookie starter on each side resulted in combined runs of just five.
Historical Context and Odds
According to MLB.com, teams that win Game 1 in a best‑of‑seven series have taken the series 64.9 % of the time (126 of 194). When Game 1 is won on the road, the odds improve slightly: 56.3 % (40 of 71) in the current 2‑3‑2 format. The Brewers boast a perfect 6‑0 record against the Dodgers in the 2025 regular season, so the road‑win by Los Angeles is a statistical oddball.
Betting markets opened with the Dodgers as slight favorites at -115, reflecting both their championship pedigree and the historical weight of a Game 1 road win.
Quotes and Reactions
After Game 1, Dodgers’ first baseman Freddie Freeman said, "To get the first one, and you turn it over to Yoshi … we're obviously feeling pretty good. Hopefully, we can score some more runs." Meanwhile, Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz remained stoic: "It's the same thing as every game. You take the next game and … be ready from the first inning all the way through nine." Both players underscored the tightrope nature of NLCS baseball – one swing can tip the balance.
What’s Next? Potential Scenarios
If the Dodgers capture Game 2, they’ll head to Los Angeles with a 2‑0 lead, putting the Brewers on the brink of an uphill battle. Conversely, a Brewers win forces a pivotal Game 3 in LA, where the crowd noise could swing momentum.
Should the series stretch to six or seven games, the final two contests at American Family Field could become a showcase for veteran poise – think former postseason heroes like Madison Bumgarner in similar scenarios.
The winner of the NLCS earns a spot in the World Series, slated to begin Thursday, October 24, 2025, against the American League champion — a matchup that could feature the Seattle Mariners, who lead the ALCS 2‑0 over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the NLCS format affect a team's strategy?
The 2‑3‑2 layout means the team with home‑field advantage (the Dodgers) can start strong on the road, then host three consecutive games. Managers often stretch bullpens in Games 2‑4, knowing a win in Game 5 could clinch the series before returning to the opponent’s park for Games 6‑7.
What are the key differences between Yamamoto and Peralta?
Yamamoto relies on a high‑velocity fastball touching 100 mph and a late‑breaking slider, while Peralta mixes a fastball around 94 mph with a deceptive changeup. Yamamoto’s strikeout rate (12.3 K/9) exceeds Peralta’s (9.8 K/9), but Peralta’s ground‑ball tendency could neutralize the Dodgers’ power lineup.
Why is the Brewers’ regular‑season sweep of the Dodgers significant?
Going 6‑0 against Los Angeles gave Milwaukee confidence that their pitching and defense can contain the Dodgers’ offense. However, postseason pressure and a neutral venue often reset those dynamics, as seen in past NLCS where regular‑season dominance didn’t translate to series wins.
What impact does a Game 1 road win have on betting odds?
Oddsmakers typically lower the favorites’ spread after a road win, reflecting the statistical edge that a 1‑0 lead provides. In this NLCS, the Dodgers’ odds slipped from -125 to -115 after Game 1, indicating the market’s belief in their momentum.
When could we see a historic Game 7 at American Family Field?
If both clubs trade wins through Games 1‑5, the series would reset at 2‑2, making Games 6 and 7 in Milwaukee likely. A Game 7 would echo the 2018 NLCS at the same venue, where the Brewers fell short after a dramatic comeback.
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