When Freddie Freeman launched a go‑ahead solo homer and Blake Snell threw a one‑hit gem, the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched a 3‑2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at American Family Field. The win gave the Dodgers a 1‑0 lead in the National League Championship Series (NLCS) and set the stage for a pitching showdown tomorrow. Across the country, the Seattle Mariners pushed their series advantage to 2‑0 with a 10‑3 rout of the Toronto Blue Jays, sparking fresh talk about a possible first World Series in 30 years.
NLCS: Dodgers vs. Brewers – Game 1 Recap
Detractors had warned that the Dodgers’ bullpen might crack after a high‑octane offense, but the early fireworks kept the pressure off. Freeman’s seventh‑inning blast broke a 1‑1 tie, and Snell’s next‑inning strikeout spree turned a potential rally into a one‑run lead. The Brewers answered late, loading the bases with two outs in the ninth, but a routine ground‑out stopped the tying run at third.
"To get the first one, and you turn it over to Yoshi … we’re obviously feeling pretty good," Freeman said in the post‑game interview, eyes on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ ace slated for tomorrow.
Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz tried to keep his team grounded: "It’s the same thing as every game. You take the next game and … be ready from the first inning all the way through nine."
Game 2 Preview: Pitching Duel in Milwaukee
Tomorrow’s NLCS opener pits Yamamoto, fresh off a 14‑strikeout effort earlier this season, against Freddy Peralta. Both right‑handers have posted sub‑3.00 ERAs this year, but their styles differ. Yamamoto relies on a devastating slider that whips hitters upside‑down, while Peralta mixes a sharp cutter with a sinker that induces ground balls.
Analytics guru Mike Lupica (not to be confused with the columnist) notes, "If Yamamoto can keep the Brewers off the scoreboard for the first five innings, the Dodgers will have a clear path to the bullpen for the late‑game stretch. Peralta, on the other hand, needs to bite early—there’s no room for a bounce‑back after a 3‑2 loss."
Kick‑off is 8:08 p.m. ET (7:08 CT, 5:08 PT) on Oct. 14, and the broadcast will be on Fox Sports 1 with a radio simulcast on ESPN Radio.
ALCS: Mariners Ride High Against Blue Jays
The Seattle‑Toronto saga has been a tale of two halves. After a 3‑0 win in Game 1, the Mariners exploded in Game 2, scoring ten runs on the back of a first‑inning three‑run blast by center‑fielder Julio Rodriguez. DH Jorge Polanco followed with another three‑run homer in the fourth, putting the game out of reach.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider tried to rally his squad, but Seattle’s pitching staff—anchored by starter George Kirby—kept the Yankees‑style offense honest. "We knew we had to be aggressive early," Kirby said. "If we get a few solid innings, the rest is just riding the wave."
Game 3 shifts to T‑Mobile Park in Seattle on Wed., Oct. 16, with a 7:08 p.m. ET start. The series now looks like a potential three‑game sweep if Seattle can keep Toronto’s batters off balance.
Road to the Championship: How Teams Got Here
Every team’s path was littered with drama. The Mariners ended a 24‑year ALCS drought by outlasting the Detroit Tigers in a 15‑inning marathon on Oct. 10. Their 99‑win regular season was the best in the AL West, and they rode that momentum straight into the ALCS.
Toronto topped the AL East with 101 wins, beating the New York Yankees in a tense ALDS that featured a walk‑off double by Alex Verdugo. The Blue Jays’ offense, however, has sputtered in Seattle, scoring just three runs over two games.
In the National League, the Dodgers earned their spot by shrugging off a wild Game 5 against the Philadelphia Phillies, winning on a walk‑off error. Meanwhile, Milwaukee clinched the NL Central with 102 wins, then dispatched the Chicago Cubs in a gritty two‑game series that featured a game‑winning walk‑off hit by Willy Adames on Oct. 11.
What’s at Stake: World Series Implications
If the Dodgers prevail, they’ll become the first back‑to‑back NL champions since the 2018‑19 Washington Nationals, and they’ll chase a third straight World Series title—a feat not seen since the early 1970s Yankees. For the Brewers, a win would deliver the franchise’s first pennant since 1982, ending a 43‑year drought.
On the American side, a Mariners victory would hand Seattle its first AL pennant since the 1995 division win, while a Blue Jays triumph would mark a return to the Fall Classic after a 32‑year hiatus.
The World Series is slated to begin Thursday, Oct. 24, with a best‑of‑seven showdown that could feature any of these four clubs. Broadcasters have already promised a playoff‑filled schedule, complete with prime‑time slots on MLB Network and CBC.
Key Dates and Broadcast Info
- NLCS Game 2 – Oct. 14, 8:08 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1.
- ALCS Game 3 – Oct. 16, 7:08 p.m. ET, ESPN.
- Potential NLCS Game 6 – Oct. 20, 5:08 p.m. CT, TBS.
- World Series Opening Game – Oct. 24, 8:00 p.m. ET, Fox.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the NLCS outcome affect the Dodgers' World Series chances?
A win in the NLCS would give the Dodgers a 2‑0 lead in the World Series, positioning them favorably to repeat as champions. Even a split would still leave them with home‑field advantage, as they hold the better regular‑season record (98 wins vs. the Brewers’ 102). Their bullpen depth and veteran core make them a strong contender regardless of the series length.
What challenges do the Brewers face in Game 2?
Milwaukee must contain Yamamoto’s slider early; a few quick hits could flip the momentum. Their offense also needs to produce more than one run, as the Dodgers have shown they can capitalize on single‑run leads. Relief pitching depth is another concern after the near‑collapse in Game 1.
Why are the Mariners considered the underdog despite a 2‑0 lead?
Seattle’s regular‑season schedule was less demanding than Toronto’s, and the Blue Jays have a deeper bullpen. If the series shifts to Seattle for Game 3, the Mariners lose the home‑field edge they enjoyed in Milwaukee, and the Blue Jays’ veteran hitters could exploit any pitching fatigue.
When and where can fans watch the upcoming games?
NLCS Game 2 airs on Fox Sports 1 at 8:08 p.m. ET on Oct. 14, while ALCS Game 3 will be on ESPN at 7:08 p.m. ET on Oct. 16. Both games stream live on the MLB.TV app and are rebroadcast on regional sports networks the following day.
What historical precedents exist for a team winning back‑to‑back World Series titles?
The last team to win three straight championships was the New York Yankees (1998‑2000). Before that, the Oakland Athletics captured three titles (1972‑1974). The Dodgers aiming for consecutive titles would join a short‑list that includes the 1977‑78 Yankees and the 2009‑10 Giants.