MLB Playoffs Blake Snell’s 1-Hit Gem Lifts Dodgers Game 1

The Los Angeles Dodgers edged out the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1 in Game 1 of the 2025 NLCS. Blake Snell delivered an absolute masterclass on the mound.

Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner, just carved up Milwaukee’s lineup. Los Angeles barely scraped together enough offense, but it was all they needed to take the win.

With this gritty victory, the Dodgers snatch a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. They also swipe home-field advantage heading into Game 2.

Blake Snell’s Historic Performance

Honestly, few pitchers have ever looked as locked in as Snell did Monday night in Milwaukee. The lefty tossed eight shutout innings, allowing only a single hit, no walks, and he struck out 10.

Caleb Durbin, the Brewers’ rookie, reached base once. Snell picked him off in the third, so he actually faced the minimum 24 batters.

This was a symphony of pitching dominance—sharp breaking balls, pinpoint fastballs. The Brewers kept guessing, and Snell just kept dealing.

He didn’t blink against Milwaukee’s aggressive hitters. That’s the poise you expect from a guy with two Cy Youngs on his shelf.

Dodgers’ Offensive Breakthrough

While Snell handled business on the mound, the Dodgers’ hitters had to grind for every chance. Milwaukee kept mixing pitchers, trying to keep LA off balance.

A slick double play in the fourth killed an early Dodgers rally. The game just felt stuck for a while.

Finally, in the sixth, Freddie Freeman broke the silence. He sent a solo shot off Chad Patrick, and suddenly the Dodgers had a 1-0 lead.

That swing really woke up the LA dugout. One run felt huge in a game like this.

Late-Inning Drama

The ninth inning got tense, fast. The Brewers intentionally walked Shohei Ohtani, loading the bases.

That move backfired—Mookie Betts worked a bases-loaded walk, adding a critical insurance run. It was 2-0, but nothing felt safe yet.

Down to the bottom of the ninth, rookie Roki Sasaki struggled. He gave up a run and loaded the bases, suddenly putting the Dodgers in danger.

With everything on the line, LA called on veteran Blake Treinen. He struck out Brice Turang, ending the threat and sealing the win.

Key Takeaways from Game 1

• Snell’s dominance — Facing just 24 batters in eight innings? That’s almost unheard of these days.
• Freeman’s long ball — The guy just keeps coming through when it matters most.
• Tightrope ninth inning — Treinen’s strikeout saved the Dodgers from a disaster.
• Series momentum shift — Stealing home-field could come up huge down the line.

Looking Ahead to Game 2

The Dodgers hold a 1-0 lead now and maybe a bit of a mental edge. Game 2 suddenly feels like a must-win for Milwaukee.

The Brewers need more from their lineup after getting shut down by Snell. Maybe they’ll try to be more patient and see if that helps.

Los Angeles, meanwhile, will want to keep rolling. Freeman, Ohtani, Betts—those bats are always dangerous, but the Dodgers need more consistent contact if they want to avoid another nail-biter.

Final Thoughts

Game 1 of the 2025 NLCS? That was Blake Snell’s masterpiece. He absolutely controlled the Brewers’ lineup and set the table for Los Angeles’ win.

October baseball always feels like it’s balanced on a knife’s edge. One defensive gem, one huge swing—suddenly, everything flips.

The Dodgers have the upper hand right now. But honestly, this series is nowhere near finished.

Looking ahead to Game 2 on Tuesday night in Milwaukee, the Brewers have all the pressure on their shoulders. It’s a short series, so momentum can vanish in a blink.

With Snell’s performance putting L.A. in front, Milwaukee has to shake things up fast. Otherwise, the Dodgers might just run away with the pennant.

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Here is the source article for this story: MLB playoffs 2025: Blake Snell stymies Brewers with 1-hit gem to secure NLCS Game 1 thriller for Dodgers