Dodgers lead 3-0, on brink of NLCS sweep and back-to-back titles

When Los Angeles Dodgers edged out the Milwaukee Brewers 3‑1 on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Dodger Stadium, the league witnessed a rare moment: a defending champion poised to return to the Fall Classic. The tiebreaking single that sealed the win came from Tommy Edman, who drove home the go‑ahead run against rookie right‑hander Jacob Misiorowski. Earlier, a trio of hits from Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts set the tone, while veteran left‑hander Clayton Kershaw earned the win and closer Evan Phillips locked it down.

Series Overview and Historical Context

The matchup is part of the 2025 National League Championship Series, a best‑of‑seven showdown that began in early October. The Dodgers entered the postseason riding a 93‑69 record, first in the NL West, and they’ve already dispatched the Cincinnati Reds in two Wild Card games before beating the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS. The Brewers, meanwhile, earned the NL Central crown with an 89‑73 ledger and shocked many by taking Game 2 in Milwaukee.

What makes this lead astonishing is its rarity. Teams that jump to a 3‑0 advantage win the series 97.6 % of the time (40 of 41 series), according to MLB.com’s historical database. The only exception is the 2004 Red Sox comeback in the ALCS. For a defending champion to even reach the World Series is uncommon – the last time was the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies. The Dodgers now stand on the brink of becoming the first back‑to‑back champion since the 1998‑2000 New York Yankees dynasty.

Game 3 Recap: Key Plays and Pitching

Game 3 unfolded as a pitching duel until the sixth inning. Misiorowski, just 22, rattled nine strikeouts and kept the Dodgers off balance, but his “explosive” fastball began to wander after the fifth frame. The breakthrough came at 8:14 PM PDT when Ohtani, the Japanese star who also lines up as a designated hitter, tripled to right‑center. Betts followed with a crisp double that brought Ohtani home for a 1‑0 lead.

Edman’s single in the bottom of the sixth knocked in Betts, stretching it to 2‑0. The Brewers sliced a solo homer in the seventh – a 27‑year‑old William Contreras blast off Blake Treinen – but that was as close as they got. Kershaw, still pitching a masterful game at age 37, allowed just one run on five hits while fanning twelve batters across seven innings. Phillips sealed the night with a clean ninth, preserving the victory and earning his ninth postseason save.

Reactions from Players and Managers

“We trusted our guys in the bullpen, and they delivered,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts in the post‑game press conference. “Edman’s hustle and the early aggression from Ohtani and Betts set the tone.”

Brewers skipper Pat Murphy was more measured: “We gave ourselves a chance early, but the Dodgers found a way to break the game open. We’ll regroup and try to force a Game 5.”

Edman, modest as ever, simply noted, “I knew where I was supposed to be. The timing just clicked.” Ohtani, who also started the season as a pitcher for the Dodgers, smiled, “It feels good to contribute in both ways.”

What a 3‑0 Lead Means Statistically

• Historically, a 3‑0 lead translates to a 97.6 % chance of series victory.
• Only 1 in 41 series has ever been overturned – the 2004 Red Sox.
• Five of the last ten NLCS crowns were clinched in four games or fewer.
• The Dodgers now have a 31‑game postseason winning streak dating back to the 2024 NLDS.
• Milwaukee’s last three‑game deficit in a best‑of‑seven series came in the 1998 NLCS against San Diego.

These numbers underscore the pressure on the Brewers. Even if they swing momentum, the odds are heavily stacked against them.

Looking Ahead: Game 4 and Potential World Series Opponents

Game 4 is slated for Friday, October 17, at 7:08 PM PDT, again at Dodger Stadium. TBS, truTV, and HBO Max will carry the broadcast, and ticket prices start at $204 for standard seats. A win would send Los Angeles to the World Series, where they could face either the Seattle Mariners – who upset the Houston Astros in the ALCS – or the Toronto Blue Jays, who rode a late‑season surge.

If the Brewers force a Game 5, the series shifts back to Milwaukee’s American Family Field on October 18. That venue saw the longest home‑field advantage streak in NLCS history, with the home team winning 15 of the last 20 games.

Beyond the immediate matchup, the larger narrative revolves around whether the Dodgers can cement a modern dynasty. Winning consecutive World Series titles would place them alongside the 1998‑2000 Yankees, the 1975‑77 Cincinnati Reds, and the 1969‑70 New York Mets as the few teams to win back‑to‑back championships in the wild‑card era.