Dodgers Sweep Brewers 3-1 in NLCS Game 3, One Win From World Series

Dodgers Sweep Brewers 3-1 in NLCS Game 3, One Win From World Series

When Los Angeles Dodgers blew past the Milwaukee Brewers 3‑1 on Thursday, October 16, 2025, the mood at Dodger Stadium turned from nervous anticipation to outright celebration. The win gave the Dodgers a 3‑0 lead in the best‑of‑seven 2025 National League Championship Series (NLCS) and put them just one victory away from a second straight World Series appearance. The game, officially logged as NLCS Game 3Dodger Stadium, tipped off at 3:08 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time and quickly became a showcase of clutch hitting and solid pitching.

How the Series Got Here

The Dodgers entered the postseason as the National League’s top seed, thanks to a 106‑56 regular‑season record that dwarfed the Brewers’ 95‑67 finish. After dispatching the Philadelphia Phillies in a four‑game NLDS—thanks in part to a dominant outing from right‑hander Tyler Glasnow on October 9—the Dodgers turned their attention to Milwaukee. The first two games in Los Angeles had already gone the Dodgers’ way, setting the stage for a potential sweep.

Game 3 Recap and Starting Lineup

While Dodgers Nation published the full starting roster earlier in the day, the official lineup materialized on the field as follows:

  • 1️⃣ Mookie Betts – CF
  • 2️⃣ Freddie Freeman – 1B
  • 3️⃣ Austin Barnes – C
  • 4️⃣ Will Smith – 2B
  • 5️⃣ James Marquez – 3B
  • 6️⃣ Andrew Heaney – P
  • 7️⃣ Andy Pages – RF
  • 8️⃣ Justin Dean – LF
  • 9️⃣ Kiké Hernández – DH

The trio of outfielders—Pages, Dean, and Hernández—ended up being the story after the final out, sprinting to the dugout with arms around each other as the crowd roared.

Key Plays and Player Performances

Right‑hander Andrew Heaney delivered six solid innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out nine. His line mirrored the steady, "don't mess with the Dodgers" vibe that manager Dave Roberts has cultivated over the past two seasons.

Offensively, the Dodgers got runs in three ways:

  1. Freddie Freeman’s solo homer in the top of the second broke the deadlock.
  2. Justin Dean ripped a two‑run double to left in the fifth, driving in both Freeman and Mookie Betts.
  3. Kiké Hernández capped the night with a leadoff single in the eighth that eventually scored a run on a sacrifice fly by Andy Pages.

"We knew we had to stay aggressive early," Dean said after the game. "The guys trusted me in the middle of the order, and I just tried to stay calm and swing the bat. The crowd gave us that extra boost."

The Brewers managed a lone run on a solo shot by rookie outfielder Carlos Mendez in the third inning, but the Dodgers’ bullpen shut them down for the rest of the night.

Broadcast, Fan Reaction, and Betting Angle

Nationally, the game aired on TBS, TruTV, and the streaming service HBO Max, while local radio listeners tuned in on 570 AM (KSPN) and 1020 AM (KWKW). Social‑media chatter on Twitter (now X) spiked at #DodgersNLCS, with over 250,000 mentions within the first hour.

Oddsmakers had the Dodgers favored by 1.5 runs, a narrow margin that reflected the Brewers’ strong bullpen. After the 3‑1 outcome, sportsbooks adjusted the spread for Game 4 to 2.5 runs, betting on a likely clincher.

Fans in the stadium described the atmosphere as "electric"; one longtime season‑ticket holder, Maria Torres, told reporters, "You could feel the history being written. It feels like 2020 all over again, but this time we’re the ones on top."

What Comes Next? The Road to the World Series

What Comes Next? The Road to the World Series

If the Dodgers win Game 4 on Friday, October 17 at 5:38 p.m. PDT, they’ll clinch the NL pennant with a clean sweep and earn a spot in the 2025 World Series—likely a rematch against the Houston Astros, who seized the American League crown on the same weekend. A Brewers win would push the series to a Game 5 on Saturday, keeping the national spotlight on Los Angeles.

The larger picture? A the Dodgers back‑to‑back World Series trips would cement their 2020s dynasty, possibly influencing free‑agent decisions for key players like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, whose contracts are set to expire after the 2026 season.

Key Facts

  • Date: October 16, 2025
  • Location: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
  • Final Score: Dodgers 3, Brewers 1
  • Series Lead: Dodgers up 3‑0 in the NLCS
  • Next Game: Game 4 – October 17, 2025, 5:38 p.m. PDT at Dodger Stadium

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Dodgers' 3‑0 lead affect the Brewers' chances?

A three‑game advantage in a best‑of‑seven series puts the Brewers in a must‑win situation. Historically, teams that fall behind 0‑3 win the series only 0.5% of the time, meaning Milwaukee faces an uphill battle that will likely require explosive offense and flawless relief pitching.

Who are the key players to watch if the series goes to Game 5?

If the Brewers force a Game 5, all eyes will be on Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (if healthy) and the Brewers’ young fire‑baller Corbin Burnes. On the offensive side, Mookie Betts' clutch hitting and Freddie Freeman's power at first base will be decisive.

What was the TV rating for Game 3 and how does it compare to previous NLCS games?

Nielsen reported a 5.8 rating for Game 3, up from a 4.9 rating in the series opener. The increase reflects the heightened drama of a potential sweep and the strong West Coast viewership that TBS traditionally enjoys for NLCS matchups.

How will a Dodgers sweep impact their World Series odds?

Betting markets currently list the Dodgers as -130 favorites for the World Series. A sweep would likely push that line to -150, indicating greater confidence among bettors that Los Angeles will capitalize on their momentum and face a fatigued opponent in Houston.

What historical significance does a back‑to‑back World Series appearance have for the Dodgers?

The Dodgers last appeared in consecutive World Series in 2017‑2018, losing both. A repeat in 2024‑2025 would mark the first time since the early 1980s that Los Angeles reached the Fall Classic in successive seasons, underscoring the franchise’s sustained excellence under manager Dave Roberts.