When Los Angeles Dodgers stepped onto the field at American Family Field on , they weren’t just playing a regular postseason game – they were battling in NLCS Game 2American Family Field against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 26‑year‑old Japanese right‑hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered a complete game, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out seven, giving the Dodgers a 5‑1 victory and a 2‑0 lead in the best‑of‑seven series.
Game‑by‑game recap: How the Dodgers seized momentum
The first pitch was a shocker. Jackson Chourio, the 21‑year‑old Venezuelan center fielder for Milwaukee, launched a solo homer off Yamamoto’s opening delivery, flashing an early 1‑0 lead. But the Dodgers answered in the top of the second. With one out and a 3‑2 count, Teoscar Hernández lofted a 106‑mph blast off a curveball from Brewers starter Freddy Peralta, tying the game at 1‑1. Hernández’s fourth postseason homer pushed his RBI total to ten for the playoffs.
The turning point arrived in the sixth inning. Tommy Edman, the 29‑year‑old second baseman and 2024 NLCS MVP, hammered an RBI single that scored Will Smith and moved Freddie Freeman to third. A misplay by Brewers shortstop Andrelton Simmons let Freeman sprint home, extending the lead to 3‑1. The Dodgers added two insurance runs in the eighth, highlighted by a clutch double from Max Muncy that drove home another run.
Yamamoto’s poise after surrendering that first‑pitch homer surprised many. He settled down, mixing a slider, a cutter, and a change‑up with surgical precision. He finished with a 1.23 WHIP and kept the Brewers batting average at .165 through his nine innings.
Yamamoto’s complete game: A historic performance
This marks the first postseason complete game for a Dodger since Clayton Kershaw’s effort in the 2016 NLDS. The 9‑inning masterpiece gave Yamamoto a 0.00 ERA for the series so far and lowered his postseason ERA to a stellar 1.19. In total, the Dodgers’ pitching staff boasts a cumulative 2.45 ERA in the 2025 playoffs, a stark contrast to the Brewers’ .215 team batting average in the NLCS.
“Dave Roberts, the Dodgers’ manager, praised the effort, saying, ‘Yoshinobu was absolutely masterful tonight. To go the distance in an NLCS game is a tremendous accomplishment, especially after giving up that first‑pitch home run. He showed incredible poise and command of all his pitches.’”
Analyst Ken Rosenthal of "The Athletic" noted, “Yamamoto’s ability to adjust mid‑game, especially after that early blast, is what separates a good pitcher from a great postseason one. He kept the strike zone tight and forced Milwaukee into weak contact all night.”
Key contributions from the Dodgers lineup
- Teoscar Hernández – 4th postseason homer, 10 RBIs.
- Tommy Edman – MVP‑level RBI single in the sixth.
- Max Muncy – 2 runs, 1 double, 1 run‑scoring single.
- Freddie Freeman – 2 runs scored, including the crucial error‑forced run.
- Will Smith – 1 run, 1 hit; set the tone early in the game.
The Dodgers’ bullpen, once a season‑long question mark, logged a flawless 1.80 ERA in the postseason, with veteran reliever Daniel Hudson pitching 3.2 scoreless innings across four outings.
Brewers’ response and pitching struggles
Freddy Peralta’s curveball surrendered the game‑tying solo shot to Hernández, and his line fell to 5 innings, 2 runs, 6 hits. Corbin Burnes, who entered in the seventh, limited damage with a 1‑2‑1 line but couldn’t stop the tide. The Brewers’ rotation posted a 4.75 ERA in the NLCS, a sharp rise from their 3.02 regular‑season mark.
“Pat Murphy, the Brewers’ manager, acknowledged the challenge: ‘He was better than we were tonight. We had opportunities but couldn’t capitalize. That’s championship baseball right there.’”
Despite the loss, the Brewers still have a bright spot: Jackson Chourio’s historic first‑pitch homer makes him the youngest player in franchise history to homer in a postseason game.
What this means for the NLCS and the World Series
The 2‑0 lead puts the Dodgers in a prime position to sweep the series when it shifts to Dodger Stadium on October 16. A sweep would give Los Angeles its second consecutive World Series appearance—something only the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies managed as a defending champion in the modern era.
If the series extends, Game 4 is slated for October 17, also at Dodger Stadium. Should Milwaukee force a Game 5, the momentum would have heavily shifted to the West Coast, especially given the Dodgers’ 7‑1 postseason record (wins over the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, and now the Brewers).
Historically, no team has won back‑to‑back World Series titles since the New York Yankees completed a three‑peat from 1998‑2000. The Dodgers, with championships in 2020 and 2024, are now eyeing a rare repeat, and Yamamoto’s complete game could be the catalyst.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Yamamoto’s complete game affect the Dodgers’ chances in the NLCS?
A complete game in a high‑stakes series not only eases the bullpen’s workload but also boosts team confidence. With Yamamoto silencing Milwaukee’s offense, the Dodgers can rest key relievers for a potential Game 3, improving their odds of a sweep.
What impact did Teoscar Hernández’s home run have on the series narrative?
Hernández’s 106‑mph blast tied the game early and marked his fourth postseason homer, putting him alongside past NLCS sluggers. The momentum shift forced Milwaukee to chase the game, playing into the Dodgers’ defensive strengths.
Who are the key players the Brewers need to rely on to stay alive?
The Brewers must lean on Jackson Chourio’s power, Corbin Burnes’ ability to go deep into games, and the bat speed of Willy Adames. If they can raise their team batting average above .250, they’ll have a fighting chance.
What does a potential Dodgers sweep mean for the World Series picture?
A sweep would give Los Angeles extra rest before the World Series, allowing starters like Yamamoto and Walker Buehler to recover fully. It also signals that the defending champion is in peak form, heightening expectations for a back‑to‑back title.
How does this series compare to the Dodgers’ 2020 run?
Both runs featured dominant pitching and timely hitting. However, the 2025 team leans heavily on international talent—Yamamoto from Japan and Hernández from the Dominican Republic—while the 2020 squad relied more on home‑grown stars. The newer blend showcases the Dodgers’ evolving scouting strategy.