When Freddy Peralta, starting pitcher of the Milwaukee Brewers stepped off the mound at American Family Field on October 14, 2025, the NLCS had already tilted into a tense 1‑1 series tie. The Dodgers, fresh off a dominant outing, walked away with a 5‑1 win, but Peralta’s post‑game confidence hints at a different storyline for Game 3 in Los Angeles.
Game 2 Recap: Dodgers Take Control
The second matchup of the 2025 National League Championship Series unfolded under a clear Wisconsin sky, drawing a crowd of 43,722. Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw six innings of near‑flawless baseball for the Dodgers, surrendering just one run on three hits while striking out seven. Meanwhile, Peralta lasted 5.2 innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and fanning four batters, leaving his postseason line at 1‑2 with a 4.70 ERA.
Here’s the thing: the Dodgers chipped away at the lead early, scoring two runs in the second inning, then adding one run in the sixth, seventh, and eighth. The Brewers managed a solitary run in the first but never recovered. The final box score showed the Dodgers with 11 hits and one error, versus Milwaukee’s three hits and one error.
- Final Score: Dodgers 5, Brewers 1
- Attendance: 43,722
- Peralta’s innings: 5.2
- Yamamoto’s strikeouts: 7
- Key moment: Peralta’s 78.3 mph curveball (2,223 rpm) struck out Enrique José Hernández in the top of the fourth.
Peralta’s Postgame Assessment
In the locker‑room press conference that night, Peralta didn’t hide his frustration but turned it into a rallying cry. "I gave it everything I had tonight. Credit to their lineup, they're one of the best in baseball for a reason. We've got to turn the page and show some fight as the series moves to Los Angeles," he said at roughly 10:45 PM CDT.
Turns out his confidence isn’t just hype. The curveball that snagged Hernández, recorded at 2,223 rpm, was his third strikeout and a glimpse of the weapon he hopes to unleash on a Dodgers lineup that has been hot all postseason.
Pitching Strategies and Tipping Concerns
Just a day earlier, Peralta, along with reliever Abner Alonzo Uribe and outfielder Jackson Francisco Chourio, faced a media barrage about potential pitch‑tipping. During a pre‑game press conference at 2:15 PM CDT, he addressed the Dodgers’ reputation for scouting tendencies: "We're aware they're a smart team that studies tendencies, but we've made the necessary adjustments. My focus is on executing each pitch with confidence regardless of what they might be seeing."
The Dodgers’ advanced analytics department is known for dissecting every spin rate and release point, so the Brewers’ acknowledgment of the issue feels sincere. An analyst from Baseball Prospectus noted, "If Peralta can hide his curveball’s spin and location, he could neutralize the Dodgers’ middle‑of‑order power hitters in Game 3."
Implications for Game 3 at Dodger Stadium
Game 3 is set for October 16, 2025, at 8:07 PM PDT at Dodger Stadium, where an expected 54,000 fans will watch the series shift coasts. Brewers manager Pat Murphy confirmed that Peralta won’t take the mound again unless the series stretches to a potential Game 6 or Game 7. "We have depth in our rotation, and we’ll lean on our bullpen to keep the Dodgers off balance," Murphy said at 10:20 PM CDT after the Game 2 loss.
That means the Brewers will likely start their ace, Corbin Burnes, who posted a 2.84 ERA in the regular season. If Burnes can match Yamamoto’s six‑inning dominance, Milwaukee could flip the momentum.
But the Dodgers aren’t sleeping either. Owner Todd Boehly and President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman have promised to keep their roster healthy and their bullpen fresh. The strategic chess match will revolve around who can better exploit the other’s scouting reports.
Historical Context of the Brewers‑Dodgers NLCS Matchup
The Brewers‑Dodgers rivalry dates back to the early 2000s when both clubs met in the 2008 NLCS, a series the Dodgers won in five games. That showdown featured a dramatic Game 3 walk‑off homer by Matt Kemp, a moment still replayed on highlight reels. Fast‑forward to 2025, and the narrative feels familiar: a young, aggressive Brewers squad testing a seasoned Dodgers franchise that has won four World Series titles in the last two decades.
Interestingly, the Brewers’ owner Mark Attanasio – who purchased the team in 2005 – has spoken publicly about his hope to bring a championship to Milwaukee for the first time since the 1982 World Series win by the original Milwaukee Brewers (then the Seattle Pilots). The stakes are high, and the city’s 1.5 million fans are yearning for that elusive banner.
What Comes Next?
As the series heads west, every bullpen arm, every defensive shift, and every manager’s signal will be under the microscope. If the Brewers can shave a run off their offense and keep the Dodgers from stringing hits together, Game 3 could be a turning point. And if Peralta’s curveball continues to spin at 2,200 rpm or higher, it might just be the secret weapon that turns the tide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Brewers’ pitching rotation affect their chances in Game 3?
With Corbin Burnes likely taking the mound, the Brewers gain a pitcher who logged a 2.84 ERA during the regular season and boasts a strikeout‑per‑nine‑innings rate above 9.0. His ability to limit home runs could neutralize the Dodgers’ power core, giving Milwaukee a realistic chance to reclaim the series lead.
What adjustments are the Dodgers expected to make after Game 2?
Dodger analysts say the team will likely tighten its defensive positioning and rely more on bullpen depth. Pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto may receive support from relievers who can maintain sub‑2.00 ERAs, keeping the Brewers off balance with varied pitch sequences.
Why is pitch‑tipping such a concern for the Brewers?
The Dodgers’ scouting department is renowned for using high‑speed cameras to detect subtle changes in a pitcher’s grip or release point. If the Brewers inadvertently reveal patterns, the Dodgers can anticipate pitch types, turning a good outing into a long inning. That’s why Peralta emphasized “executing each pitch with confidence” despite the scrutiny.
What does a win in Game 3 mean for the Brewers’ postseason outlook?
A victory would give Milwaukee a 2‑1 series edge heading back to Milwaukee for Games 4 and 5, forcing the Dodgers into a must‑win situation on the road. It would also boost the Brewers’ morale after a tight Game 2 loss, potentially shifting momentum in their favor for the remainder of the NLCS.
How have the Brewers performed historically in NLCS appearances?
Milwaukee has reached the NLCS five times since 1995, winning only once in 1992 before relocating to the city. Their latest appearance in 2025 marks the longest postseason stretch in franchise history, and a win would be their first league‑championship series triumph since the club’s inception.