Brewers Take 2-0 NLCS Lead Over Dodgers Into Los Angeles for Game 3

The Milwaukee Brewers have pushed the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers to the brink of elimination, taking a 2-0 lead in the National League Championship Series after two games at American Family Field. The series now shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3 on Wednesday, where the Dodgers will turn to two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to keep their season alive.

The Brewers swept the Dodgers in last year’s NLCS, and they have carried that momentum into this year’s rematch. Milwaukee’s pitching has silenced a Dodgers lineup that dominated the regular season, and their offense has delivered timely hits. Now they face the challenge of winning on the road, where Los Angeles has been formidable throughout the postseason.

Key facts

Shohei Ohtani’s postseason slump deepens Dodgers’ concerns

The most pressing question for Los Angeles entering Game 3 is whether Shohei Ohtani can rediscover his form. The two-way superstar has struggled significantly this postseason, going 3-for-20 with seven strikeouts and no extra-base hits. His last home run came on August 19, a drought of 24 consecutive games.

Ohtani’s left knee has been a recurring issue since he returned from the injured list, and there has been considerable debate about how the Dodgers have managed his workload. Manager Dave Roberts has indicated Ohtani will start in Game 3, but the offense has clearly sputtered without Ohtani producing at his usual MVP level. The Dodgers have managed just three runs through the first two games of the series.

The situation raises longer-term questions about Ohtani’s role, particularly his future as a pitcher. But for a team facing a 2-0 deficit, the immediate focus is on whether Ohtani can deliver a game-changing performance at home.

Blake Snell faces his biggest moment in a Dodgers uniform

Snell has been a high-impact but limited presence for Los Angeles since signing. Over two seasons, he has made just 20 regular-season starts but posted a 2.16 ERA, with several key performances during last year’s championship run, including a strong start in the NLCS opener at Milwaukee.

In a revealing interview with the New York Post, Snell acknowledged that he is aware of the narratives surrounding his career, particularly the perception that he is injury-prone. He was inefficient in his National League Division Series start this year, but a dominant outing in Game 3 would shift the conversation entirely.

The Dodgers have never needed a big start from Snell more than they do now. If he can deliver seven strong innings, Los Angeles will have a real chance to get back into the series. If he falters, the Brewers will have a chance to take an insurmountable 3-0 lead.

Can the Brewers finish what they started in 2018?

Milwaukee has been in this position before. In 2018, the Brewers led the same Dodgers 2-1 in the NLCS before losing in seven games. That series remains a painful memory for Brewers fans, who watched their team come within one win of the World Series.

This year’s Brewers team is different. Only Christian Yelich remains from that 2018 club, while the Dodgers still have Kiké Hernández and Max Muncy. But the lesson of 2018 is clear: a series lead means nothing until the final out is recorded.

The Brewers swept the Dodgers in last year’s NLCS, so they know they can win at Dodger Stadium. But they also know how quickly a series can turn. A win in Game 3 would give them a 3-0 lead, a margin no MLB team has ever overcome in a best-of-seven series. That is the opportunity in front of them.

What to watch for in Game 3

Robert Gasser has been a steady presence for Milwaukee all season, and he will need to navigate a dangerous Dodgers lineup that is due for a breakout. The Brewers’ bullpen has been excellent, which gives them flexibility if Gasser runs into trouble early.

For the Dodgers, the focus will be on whether Ohtani can provide any offensive spark and whether Snell can handle the pressure of a must-win game. Los Angeles also needs contributions from the middle of its order, which has been quiet through the first two games.

The series is far from over. The Dodgers are the two-time defending champions for a reason, and they have the talent to win four straight games. But the Brewers have looked like the better team through two games, and they have a chance to take control of the series on Wednesday night.

Source: MLB Official News RSS, https://www.mlb.com/news/nlcs-game-3-2026-storylines-to-follow