When Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the right‑handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, delivered a complete‑game three‑hitter Tuesday night at American Family Field, the National League Championship Series (NLCS) shifted decisively in Los Angeles’ favor. The visiting Milwaukee Brewers fell 5‑1, dropping to a 0‑2 hole that historically sees a comeback in just over ten percent of cases.
Game Recap & Key Moments
Yamamoto worked exactly 111 pitches, striking out seven and issuing a single walk. He allowed only three hits – two singles and the lone home run. The first pitch of the night was answered by Jackson Chourio, the Brewers’ 21‑year‑old center fielder, who blasted a solo shot to left‑center. That would be the only run Milwaukee ever scored.
For the Dodgers, the offense broke through in the fourth inning when Teoscar Hernández ripped a line drive over the right‑field wall for his first run of the series. The crowd roared again in the sixth as Max Muncy launched a 412‑foot solo homer to center, marking his 14th postseason home run – a new franchise record that surpasses the previous tie between Corey Seager and Justin Turner.
After the sixth, the Dodgers added two insurance runs via a two‑run double by Mookie Betts, pushing the lead to a comfortable five. The final box score read 5‑1, with Yamamoto earning the first postseason complete game for the Dodgers since 2017.
- Yamamoto: 111 pitches, 3 hits, 7 K, 1 BB
- Muncy: 412‑ft HR (14th postseason HR, Dodgers record)
- Brewers hitting: 4 hits total
- Series score: Dodgers 2, Brewers 0
- Historical comeback rate after 0‑2 home loss: 10.7 %
Historical Context: Postseason Complete Games
The last time a Dodgers pitcher threw a complete game in the postseason was exactly eight years ago, when Justin Verlander delivered a five‑hitter for the Houston Astros on October 14, 2017. Yamamoto’s outing is the first complete game of eight or more innings in any league’s playoffs since the 2010 San Francisco Giants used a pair of back‑to‑back complete‑game performances on their march to a World Series title.
That rarity makes Yamamoto’s feat all the more striking. In the modern era, teams have leaned heavily on bullpens, and starters averaging fewer than six innings per start is now commonplace. Yet Yamamoto’s 111‑pitch effort proved he can still go deep when the stakes are high.
Managerial Reactions & Player Quotes
Pat Murphy, the Brewers’ 66‑year‑old manager, was candid after the loss: “Those pitchers were as dominant as two pitchers have been. We chased way more than we’ve chased all year. We’ve been the best in baseball at not chasing. These pitchers brought out the worst in us.”
Yamamoto, modest as ever, said, “I just tried to stay aggressive, trust my stuff, and let the defense do its job. It’s a team win.” Muncy added, “Breaking the franchise record in this moment feels unreal. The guys behind me made it possible.”
Chourio, despite the early home run, remained optimistic: “I know we’re going to be better and put some things together.” The Dodgers’ bench captain, Cody Bellinger, praised the pitching staff: “We’ve only given up two runs in the first two games. That’s the kind of pressure we like to put on opponents.”
Statistical Analysis & Series Outlook
The Dodgers’ staff now boasts a combined 0.75 ERA across 16 innings, with Yamamoto (2‑0, 1.50 ERA), Tyler Glasnow (1‑0, 0.00 ERA) and Shohei Ohtani (1‑0, 2.25 ERA) forming a trifecta that has struck out 22 batters.
Conversely, the Brewers’ offense, which posted a .258 team batting average and ranked second in the NL during the regular season, managed just four hits in this game. Their on‑base plus slugging (OPS) fell to .560, well below the league average of .730.
Looking at the numbers, the odds heavily favor Los Angeles. Historically, teams that win both home games in the first two nights of a best‑of‑seven series win the series about 68 % of the time. The Brewers must win four of the next five games, a feat accomplished only three times in the past 30 years.
Looking Ahead: Game 3 Preview & Past NLCS Trends
Game 3 shifts to Dodger Stadium on Thursday, October 16. Tyler Glasnow is slated to start for Los Angeles after compiling 7⅔ scoreless innings in the playoffs so far. The Brewers have yet to name a starter, but they are expected to lean on veteran right‑hander Corbin Burnes in a must‑win effort.
The NLCS has a storied past of dramatic comebacks – think 2010 Giants, 2014 Cardinals – but those series featured at least one win for the road team in the first two games. The Dodgers now sit in a position similar to the 2015 Royals, who used a dominant pitching performance to seize a 2‑0 lead and never looked back.
All eyes will also be on two‑way superstar Shohei Ohtani, slated to pitch Game 4. His nine‑strikeout debut in the NLDS signaled that the Dodgers have a game‑changing ace ready for the crucial middle‑series stretch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect the Brewers' chances of winning the NLCS?
Falling behind 0‑2 at home drops the Brewers into roughly a 10.7 % historical comeback rate. They must win four of the next five games, a scenario that has only happened three times since 1995, making their path extremely steep.
What made Yoshinobu Yamamoto's performance so special?
Yamamoto threw a complete‑game three‑hitter on 111 pitches, the first postseason complete game for the Dodgers since 2017 and the first of its kind in the playoffs for eight years. His efficiency (seven strikeouts, one walk) kept the Brewers off balance the entire night.
Why is Max Muncy's home run a historic moment for the Dodgers?
Muncy's 412‑foot shot was his 14th postseason homer, breaking the franchise tie with Corey Seager and Justin Turner. The record highlights his clutch power in the playoffs and gives the Dodgers a rare two‑player postseason home‑run leader.
When and where will Game 3 be played?
Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers will send right‑hander Tyler Glasnow to the mound, while the Brewers are expected to start Corbin Burnes.
How does this series compare to previous NLCS matchups?
The 2025 NLCS mirrors the 2010 Giants, who won both opening games at home and never looked back. However, it differs because both opening wins were complete‑game performances, a rarity not seen since the 2010 Giants’ back‑to‑back starts.
