UPDATE: The Los Angeles Dodgers have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the National League Championship Series, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 on October 10, 2023. This victory was highlighted by a stunning performance from rookie pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who delivered the first complete game in the postseason in eight years.
Yamamoto showcased his skill, allowing only three hits throughout the game, and making history as the first pitcher to throw a complete game since Justin Verlander in the 2017 ALCS. Following a shaky start where he surrendered a home run to Jackson Chourio, Yamamoto silenced the Brewers for the remainder of the matchup. This triumph marks a significant turnaround for the right-hander, who struggled in his previous outing in Milwaukee.
The Dodgers now head back to Los Angeles for Game 3, scheduled for Thursday, with momentum favoring them as they eye a spot in the World Series. Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernández each contributed solo home runs, with Muncy’s blast reaching an impressive 412 feet, breaking the Dodgers’ postseason record he previously shared with Corey Seager and Justin Turner.
This postseason series is historic; it marks the first time since 1970 that both National League Championship Series road teams have begun with a 2-0 lead. In the ALCS, the Seattle Mariners also hold a 2-0 advantage heading into their next game.
Twenty-four of the last 27 teams to win the first two games on the road in a best-of-seven series have gone on to win the series, making the Dodgers favorites moving forward. The only teams to rally back after losing the first two games at home in this format are the 1985 Kansas City Royals, 1986 New York Mets, and the 1996 New York Yankees.
In an effort to energize their fans, the Brewers brought out former slugger Eric Thames to rally support before the game. Despite the initial excitement and Chourio’s early home run, the Brewers’ offense struggled, managing only five hits throughout the series. In Game 1, the Dodgers’ Blake Snell had already limited them to one hit over eight innings.
The Dodgers’ offense surged in the second inning, responding quickly to Chourio’s homer with Hernández’s powerful shot over the left-field wall and an RBI double from Andy Pages, who had been struggling with a postseason average of just .037 prior to this game.
Max Muncy extended the lead to 3-1 with his sixth-inning homer, while the Dodgers capped their scoring with additional runs from Shohei Ohtani and Tommy Edman in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively.
As the series now shifts to Los Angeles, all eyes will be on Game 3. The Dodgers look poised to capitalize on their momentum, while the Brewers will seek to bounce back and stay in contention for the championship.
Next Up: Watch for Game 3 on Thursday as the Dodgers aim to secure a potential sweep.
