Tommy Edman's Tiebreaking Single Powers Dodgers to 3-0 NLCS Lead
Oct, 17 2025
When Tommy Edman knocked his tiebreaking single into right‑field, the Dodgers seized a 3‑1 victory that put them on the brink of a National League Championship Series sweep.
The drama unfolded at American Family Field on Thursday, October 17, 2025, during NLCS Game 3Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Brewers entered the sixth inning trailing 2‑1, but rookie right‑hander Jacob Misiorowski was about to see his first big‑league start end in a heartbreaking way.
Game‑by‑Game Summary
Dodgers’ designated hitter Shohei Ohtani set the tone with a soaring triple in the bottom of the first, scoring on Mookie Betts’s double to make it 1‑0. The Brewers answered in the second, tying it 1‑1 on an RBI single by first‑baseman Jake Bauers, who drove it off Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow. Glasnow settled down, limiting Milwaukee to that lone run over 6.2 innings while striking out seven.
Milwaukee’s offense sputtered until the top of the sixth. After a leadoff walk, Tommy Edman slipped a fastball into the left‑field gap, and a misplay by the outfield allowed the ball to roll in for a go‑ahead run. A subsequent sacrifice fly by Freddie Freeman made it 3‑1, and the Dodgers never looked back.
How the Dodgers Got Here
Los Angeles entered the NLCS with a hot postseason, riding a 1.54 ERA from a rotation that includes Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The club finished the regular season 93‑69, clinching the NL West with a 52‑29 home record. Their rivals, the Brewers, posted a 97‑65 mark to win the NL Central, but couldn’t translate that dominance to the ballpark of the Dodgers.
What’s odd is how early the Dodgers’ offense clicked. Ohtani, who also pitches, contributed a triple and an RBI in the first frame, a rarity for a designated hitter. Meanwhile, the bullpen—anchored by closer Kenley Jansen—shut down any late‑inning scares.
Key Performances
- Tommy Edman – 1‑0, 1 RBI, tiebreaking single in the 6th.
- Shohei Ohtani – 1‑0, 1 triple, 1 run scored.
- Tyler Glasnow – 6.2 innings, 1 run, 7 K, 2 BB.
- Jacob Misiorowski – 3.1 innings, 2 runs, first MLB start.
- Freddie Freeman – 1‑0, 1 sac fly, .502 SLG in regular season.
Historical Context
Dodgers fans are eye‑balling a feat no defending champion has achieved since the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies, who reached the World Series the year they lifted the trophy. The last team to win back‑to‑back titles was the 1998‑2000 New York Yankees, three‑peat champions who haven’t been matched in the modern era.
The only club to claw back from a 0‑3 hole was the 2004 Boston Red Sox, a reminder that baseball loves drama. If Milwaukee forces a Game 4, the series could flip into a marathon, with a possible Game 7 at Dodger Stadium on October 22.
What Lies Ahead
Game 4 is slated for Friday, October 18, at the same venue. The Brewers will need to spark a two‑run rally early, perhaps leaning on left‑fielder Christian Yelich or right‑fielder Sal Frelick. Meanwhile, the Dodgers will likely start Blake Snell, hoping to keep the ERA sub‑2.00 and give the offense another chance to extend the lead.
Winning Game 4 would crown the sweep, sending the Dodgers to the World Series for the first time as defending champs since 1988. A loss would reset the narrative, turning the series into a best‑of‑seven showdown that could stretch the postseason into early November.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this series affect the Dodgers' chances of a back‑to‑back World Series?
A 3‑0 lead puts Los Angeles within one win of matching the 2009 Phillies as the most recent defending champion to reach the Fall Classic. If they close out the NLCS, their odds of a repeat jump dramatically because they’ll have extra rest before the World Series.
What are the Brewers' realistic paths to avoid a sweep?
Milwaukee must generate early runs – ideally a two‑run inning – and lean on its bullpen to hold the Dodgers to one or zero. Solid performances from Yelich and Frelick, plus a deep strikeout outing from Jacob Misiorowski, could keep the series alive.
Who has the edge in the pitching matchup for Game 4?
The Dodgers are likely to start Blake Snell, who posted a sub‑2.00 ERA in the postseason. The Brewers could counter with Jacob Misiorowski again, but his inexperience makes Snell the clear favorite.
What historical parallels exist for a team leading 3‑0 in a best‑of‑seven?
Only a handful of teams have ever taken a 3‑0 lead in the NLCS or ALCS. The 1995 Atlanta Braves and 2014 San Francisco Giants both converted such leads into Series wins, showing that a sweep is a realistic outcome.
When is the next possible World Series game for the Dodgers?
If the Dodgers sweep the NLCS, the World Series will likely begin in the first week of November, giving them roughly two weeks of rest after the Game 4 victory on October 18.