The Los Angeles Dodgers are now in firm control of the 2025 National League Championship Series after a commanding 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2. Behind a historic postseason performance from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers now hold a 2-0 series lead.
They return home to Dodger Stadium with a chance to punch their ticket to the World Series. This game had elite pitching, timely power, and postseason poise — all the hallmarks of a championship-caliber team.
Yamamoto Delivers a Postseason Masterpiece
In a performance Dodgers fans won’t forget, Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a complete game — the first by a Dodgers pitcher in the postseason since 2004. Over nine innings, he allowed just three hits and one run, striking out seven and firing 111 pitches.
After struggling in his previous outing, Yamamoto leaned on his devastating splitter and found his groove. He got eight swings-and-misses on just 20 splitters, which is just nasty stuff.
Efficiency and Command Set the Tone
Yamamoto didn’t just dominate — he worked like a surgeon. He kept Brewers hitters off balance after the first inning, limiting hard contact and forcing weak grounders and lazy fly balls.
His efficiency let the Dodgers save their bullpen for later in the series. That’s huge in October, when every arm matters.
Back-to-Back Pitching Gems Propel Los Angeles
Yamamoto’s brilliance followed Blake Snell’s Game 1 gem, where the lefty gave up just one hit over eight innings. Two straight elite starts have put Los Angeles in the driver’s seat.
Milwaukee’s offense has managed only two runs in the first two games. That’s not going to cut it at this stage.
Brewers Struggle to Find Offensive Rhythm
The Brewers got their only run in Game 2 when Jackson Chourio led off with a solo homer in the opening inning. After that, Milwaukee hitters just couldn’t solve Yamamoto or the Dodgers’ defense.
Dodgers’ Offensive Sparks
Pitching took center stage, but Los Angeles’s bats made noise with some clutch hits and homers. The Dodgers erased Milwaukee’s early lead when Teoscar Hernández hit a solo shot in the second inning.
Andy Pages followed up with a double in the same frame, driving in another run. That quick response set the tone for the rest of the game.
Postseason Power from Muncy
Max Muncy added to his October legend with a sixth-inning solo homer. That swing not only padded the Dodgers’ lead — it made him the team’s all-time postseason home run leader with 14.
It’s wild to see that kind of clutch power in big moments. This lineup just doesn’t quit.
Late-Inning Insurance Runs
Up 3-1, Los Angeles tacked on more in the late innings with RBI singles from Shohei Ohtani and Tommy Edman. Those insurance runs gave Yamamoto some breathing room for the ninth.
He finished his complete game looking as calm as ever. The Brewers never really threatened after that.
Freddy Peralta Falters
On the other side, Brewers starter Freddy Peralta — usually Milwaukee’s most reliable arm — just couldn’t find his fastball. The Dodgers tagged him for several hard-hit balls.
Against this lineup, even a small mistake can snowball. That’s exactly what happened here.
Looking Ahead to Dodger Stadium
The NLCS now shifts to Los Angeles. The Dodgers have two chances to finish the job in front of their home fans.
With their rotation rolling, bullpen fresh, and the offense clicking, it’s hard not to like their chances. But, hey, it’s October — you never really know until the last out.
Keys to Clinching the Pennant
If the Dodgers want to snag a World Series berth, they’ve got to keep their balance between dominant pitching and clutch hitting. Here’s what really matters:
- Keep the starting rotation rolling at a high level.
- Put steady offensive pressure on Milwaukee’s pitchers.
- Stay sharp on defense and limit the Brewers’ scoring chances.
Honestly, Los Angeles seems ready to make that leap toward October glory. Yamamoto’s Game 2 outing? That showed just how dangerous this mix of star power and poise can be for Milwaukee.
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Here is the source article for this story: MLB playoffs 2025: Dodgers vs. Brewers lineups, news, live updates as Shohei Ohtani & Co. seek 2-0 lead in NLCS
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