Dodgers seize 3‑0 NLCS lead with Edman's clutch hit

Dodgers seize 3‑0 NLCS lead with Edman's clutch hit Oct, 17 2025 -0 Comments

When Tommy Edman, a 29‑year‑old utility infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, delivered a go‑ahead single against rookie pitcher Jacob Misiorowski in the sixth inning, the defending champions seized a 3‑0 lead in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Oct 16, 2025.

Historical context: a chance at back‑to‑back titles

The Dodgers entered the series as the 2024 World Series champions, a rare feat in the modern era. No team has won consecutive titles since the 1998‑2000 New York Yankees, and the last defending champion to reach the Fall Classic was the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies. A sweep would catapult Los Angeles into a club of only a handful of clubs that have ever appeared in back‑to‑back World Series.

Across baseball history, a 3‑0 lead is almost a death sentence. The 2004 Boston Red Sox are the sole team to claw back from such a deficit, beating the New York Yankees in the ALCS. The odds, at this point, are over 99 % in favor of the Dodgers.

Game 3 recap: how the Dodgers built the edge

The night began with a bang. Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese‑American ace‑designated‑hitter who also pitches for the Los Angeles Dodgers, triple‑d off Brewers starter Andy Ashby in the bottom of the first. He sprinted home on Mookie Betts’s RBI double, putting a 2‑0 lead on the board before the inning was over.

The Brewers answered in the second with an RBI single by utility man Jake Bauers, narrowing the gap to 2‑1. That would be the only run the Brewers produced, and it came on a pitch that barely missed 99 mph – a far cry from the 100+ velocities that Misiorowski was flashing earlier.

Dodger starter Tyler Glasnow, 31, kept the Brewers off‑balance, allowing just one run over six solid innings. His line – six hits, one run, three strikeouts – helped the Dodgers’ rotation maintain a collective 1.54 ERA in the postseason, a figure that ranks among the best in modern playoff history.

The sixth inning proved decisive. With two runners on and one out, Misiorowski, who had already struck out nine Brewers (a rookie postseason record), saw his velocity dip to the high 98 mph range. Edman seized the moment, crushing a fastball into left‑center for a single that drove in the go‑ahead run. The crowd roared, the scoreboard read 3‑1, and the Brewers’ hopes began to fade.

Quotes from the dugout: confidence and composure

First‑base veteran Max Muncy summed up the Dodgers’ mindset: “They thrive on chaos – stealing bags, smacking infield hits. We just try to play clean baseball, and that’s been the difference.”

Meanwhile, Brewers’ President of Baseball Operations Matt Arnold kept his tone measured: “We’ve got to keep fighting. One game doesn’t define a series, and we still have a chance if we execute our ‘Brewers ball’ the way we know how.”

Pitching dominance: why the Dodgers’ staff looks unbeatable

Pitching dominance: why the Dodgers’ staff looks unbeatable

  • Glasnow’s 1.54 ERA across eight postseason games.
  • Ohtani’s dual‑role performance – 2 wins, 0 losses, 0.00 ERA as a starter, plus three triples at the plate.
  • Rookie Jacob Misiorowski struck out nine, despite the loss, setting a Brewers rookie postseason record.

The rotation’s depth allows Los Angeles to deploy four starters in a row without a noticeable dip in velocity or command – a luxury that the Brewers, who rely heavily on speed and contact, simply cannot match.

Implications: a near‑certain World Series berth

Should the Dodgers close out Game 4 on Friday, they will become the first defending champion to reach the Fall Classic since the 2009 Phillies, and they’ll earn the right to face the winner of the ALCS – likely either the Toronto Blue Jays or the Seattle Mariners. For the Brewers, a fourth‑straight loss would end a season that started with the league’s best regular‑season record.

Stan Kasten, the Dodgers’ President and CEO, offered a brief comment: “We respect Milwaukee, but we’re focused on one thing – bringing another championship home.” The comment underscores how the front office, led by General Manager Brandon Gomes, has built a culture of relentless consistency.

What comes next: Game 4 preview

What comes next: Game 4 preview

Game 4 is slated for 10:50 AM UTC on Oct 17, still at Dodger Stadium. If the Dodgers win, the series ends 4‑0 and the World Series matchup is set. If the Brewers pull off a miracle, the narrative shifts to an unprecedented comeback attempt – the kind of story that could rewrite baseball lore.

Either way, fans can expect high‑stakes baseball: Ohtani may return to the mound, while the Brewers will likely lean on their bullpen specialist John Schreiber to keep the Dodgers off‑balance. The stage is set, the stakes are clear, and the city of Los Angeles is buzzing with anticipation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this series lead affect the Dodgers' chances for a back‑to‑back World Series?

A 3‑0 advantage puts Los Angeles within a single win of becoming the first defending champion to reach the Fall Classic since the 2009 Phillies. Their dominant rotation and disciplined defense increase the odds of closing the series in Game 4, essentially guaranteeing a second straight title if they succeed.

What are the Brewers' realistic chances of coming back after a 3‑0 deficit?

Historically, only the 2004 Red Sox have overturned a 3‑0 hole in a postseason series. The Brewers would need to win four straight games against a hot Dodgers staff, which is statistically improbable – roughly a 1‑in‑1000 scenario.

Who are the key players to watch in Game 4?

Shohei Ohtani could take the mound again, while Mookie Betts provides power in the lineup. For Milwaukee, the spotlight will be on rookie pitcher Jacob Misiorowski’s recovery and the bullpen duo of John Schreiber and Bryan Shaw.

What does this win mean for the Dodgers' franchise legacy?

Securing a sweep would cement the Dodgers as the first team in 16 years to repeat as World Series participants, reinforcing the era of General Manager Brandon Gomes and the high‑velocity, multi‑role talent that has defined the club since its 1958 move to Los Angeles.

How has the Dodgers' pitching staff performed overall in the 2025 postseason?

Across eight games, the rotation boasts a combined 1.54 ERA, with Ohtani, Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto each posting sub‑2.00 ERAs. The staff’s ability to maintain sub‑100 mph fastballs while striking out hitters has been a decisive factor.