On a bright Thursday afternoon at Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers displayed patience and resilience during the first five innings of Game 3 against the Milwaukee Brewers. As the shadows lengthened and the sun dipped, the Dodgers awaited their moment to capitalize on a lapse from Brewers rookie sensation Jacob Misiorowski. When that opportunity finally arose in the bottom of the sixth, the Dodgers seized it, showcasing their veteran experience to secure a crucial 3-1 victory and position themselves just one win away from the World Series.
The Dodgers, aiming for a commanding 3-0 lead in the National League Championship Series, responded decisively when the Brewers faltered. The pivotal sixth inning began with a one-out single from Will Smith, who capitalized on a rare mistake by Misiorowski, hitting a hanging slider into left field. Next, Freddie Freeman took the plate and showcased his veteran savvy, outsmarting the rookie pitcher by exploiting the pitch clock. “I could see Freddie kind of getting antsy in the box,” noted Tommy Edman, who was on deck. Freeman’s patience paid off, as he drew a walk after an intense six-pitch battle.
Edman then stepped up to bat and made his mark, delivering a go-ahead single to center that broke the 1-1 tie. “He throws 102 mph, so you got to be ready for the fastball,” said Edman, reflecting on his decisive swing. Freeman displayed heady baserunning, advancing to third base on a relay throw, which later set the stage for an errant pickoff attempt by Brewers closer Abner Uribe. Freeman scored, extending the Dodgers' lead to 3-1, a margin they would not relinquish.
The Dodgers' bullpen played a crucial role in maintaining the lead, with Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, Anthony Banda, and Roki Sasaki combining for ten key outs. This performance marked a significant return to form for a relief staff that had struggled earlier in the postseason. Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow also contributed with a strong start, allowing just one run over 5⅔ innings, showcasing the team’s stellar postseason pitching that has kept their rotation ERA at an impressive 1.54.
The Brewers managed to score their only run in the second inning, thanks to a triple from Caleb Durbin and an RBI single from Jake Bauers. However, a critical defensive play by third baseman Max Muncy prevented further damage, as he executed a diving stop and threw home to keep the game tied. “If it had turned into two runs there, it’s a different story,” Glasnow remarked, emphasizing the importance of Muncy’s defensive effort.
Despite a solid pitching performance from Misiorowski, who struck out nine of his first 16 batters, the Brewers' tactical decisions backfired. Utilizing left-handed reliever Aaron Ashby as an opener proved detrimental, as the Dodgers capitalized on their familiarity with the pitcher. Additionally, Uribe’s wild pickoff attempt of Edman raised eyebrows, especially given the reliever's previous success in holding runners. “I was really surprised,” Edman admitted, “Glad it happened though.”
As the game progressed, the Dodgers' execution and experience shone through. After Durbin’s leadoff double in the seventh, manager Pat Murphy made a puzzling choice by leaving Bauers in against Vesia, resulting in a harmless fly-out. This decision marked the beginning of a string of nine consecutive outs that sealed the Dodgers' victory.
With Shohei Ohtani slated to start in Game 4, the Dodgers are primed for a potential sweep in the NLCS. “We’re five wins away from what we really want,” said shortstop Mookie Betts, encapsulating the team’s focus and determination. As the Dodgers aim for the Fall Classic, their impressive postseason record of 8-1 stands as a testament to their resilience and skill. “It’s been a bit of a trying year,” Edman reflected, “But we’re getting hot at the right time, and are just one win away from the World Series. Hopefully, we can finish off tomorrow.”
