Brewers stun Dodgers, 2-1, in NLCS Game 1 as LA's offense flops with runners in scoring position
Brewers edge Dodgers 2–1 in tight NLCS Game 1 at home
Milwaukee, WI – In a game that underscored the importance of pitching and clutch hitting, the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 2‑1 on Sunday night, taking an early lead in the National League Championship Series. The contest, played at the Brewers’ home field, was a classic pitch‑only affair that showcased the strengths and weaknesses of both teams as they look to advance to the World Series.
The Brewers’ starting pitcher, Jacob Misiorowski, set the tone from the first inning. The 27‑year‑old threw 4 ⅓ innings, allowing five hits and a single run while walking three hitters. He struck out five batters on 94 pitches, with 60 of them strikes. Misiorowski’s control and the Brewers’ defense were the difference between the two teams early in the game.
Los Angeles opened the scoring in the second inning. Shohei Ohtani, who has struggled in recent postseason games, lined a single to right field and was driven home by a single from Andy Pages, giving the Dodgers a 1‑0 lead. The first‑inning lead would be the only one for the Dodgers, as the Brewers’ offense answered in the fourth.
A solo home run by Brice Turang gave Milwaukee a 1‑1 tie after a brief rally by the Dodgers. The Brewers’ 21‑year‑old rookie Luis Lara delivered a game‑changing RBI single in the fifth inning, scoring Garrett Mitchell for the go‑ahead run. The single was the only offensive highlight for the Brewers in the early part of the game, but it proved decisive.
On the mound, Tarik Skubal struggled to find a rhythm. The Dodgers’ right‑hander was removed after five innings, having thrown 81 pitches, given up five hits, two runs, and striking out seven. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts opted to bring in the bullpen earlier than planned after Skubal’s performance. The bullpen held the lead for the remainder of the game, and the Brewers were able to ride their lone run into the final inning.
The Dodgers were limited in their ability to manufacture runs. They went 1‑5 with runners in scoring position, left nine runners on base, and failed to capitalize when they had opportunities to tie. In the ninth, a walk to Kyle Tucker and a pinch‑hit walk to Josue De Paula by Trevor Megill created a potential rally, but Megill induced a flyout from Mookie Betts that sealed the Brewers’ victory.
The win is significant for Milwaukee, who entered the series on a 58‑21 record—the best in the league—and after a previous season in which they were swept by the Dodgers in the NLCS. A Game 1 win in a championship series carries a 65.6% probability of a team advancing, and home teams win 67.3% of such games.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers will rely on rookie left‑hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2, although the team’s offense will need a spark when the pitcher’s quality of hitting is limited. Meanwhile, Milwaukee will try to build momentum from the home‑court advantage and their strong regular‑season performance.
The Brewers now hold a 1‑0 lead in the best‑of‑seven series, and the Dodgers will aim to force a Game 3 at home. As the series continues, both teams will be looking to refine their pitching and offensive strategies to control the outcome of the National League’s top competition.
