Dodgers Sweep Brewers, Advance to World Series

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

October 17, 2025

Dodgers 5, Brewers 1

The Los Angeles Dodgers have swept the Milwaukee Brewers With a 5–1 win to make it to their second consecutive World Series appearance. The Dodgers complete the sweep on the heels of a legendary postseason performance from Shohei Ohtani. On the mound, he shut down the Brewers for 6 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 10 K. On the offensive sides of things, Ohtani’s bat erupted. He went 3-for-3 with three solo home runs. Dominating the game as both an ace and a slugger, he earned the NLCS MVP honors in the Dodgers’ victory.

Dodgers-Brewers Game Summary

Ohtani started the game by striking out the side. He then put the Dodgers on the board with a leadoff home run. Mookie Betts and Will Smith both singled after, with Tommy Edman hitting a single that drove in Betts. Smith scored next off a groundout to the shallow infield from Teoscar Hernandez.

In the fourth inning, Ohtani hit a no-doubter that went 469 feet, leaving Dodger Stadium. Continuing his tear in the seventh, he hit his final solo shot to give the Dodgers a five-run cushion.

In the eighth with Ohtani out of the game, the Brewers’ offense finally found some life. Blake Treinen gave up a double to Caleb Durbin, who then stole third. Treinen walked the next batter and Brice Turang hit into a force-out at second base, which was enough to drive in Durbin. However, the offensive output would stop there, and after giving up one more hit, the Dodgers got out of the inning.

In the ninth, the Dodgers again called on Roki Sasaki to close the door on the Brewers and send them to their second consecutive World Series.

What Went Wrong For the Brewers

Offense Goes Cold at the Worst Time

The Brewers drove in only one run in each game of this series. They were outscored 15–4. They finished second during the regular season in on-base percentage and third in hits, but they could not muster any consistent offense when it mattered most. The Brewers batted 14-for-119 at the plate for the series, with a .118 batting average and .191 on-base percentage. The Dodgers’ starting rotation was too much for them to overcome.

They couldn’t take any of the starters off-rhythm, allowing them to go deep into games. One of the Dodgers’ biggest weaknesses heading into the postseason was their bullpen, and the Brewers’ lineup failed to reach them. Their inability to pressure pitchers provided slim offensive opportunities.

On how his team’s offense performed in this series, Brewers’ manager Pat Murphy said postgame, ” …when you have dominant pitching on the mound throwing 98 to 100, every guy and tremendous off-speed pitches, the command they showed… If you want to say our offense — I think most offenses would struggle.”

What Went Right For the Dodgers

Sho-Time in October

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Shoehi displayed his prowess as a two-way player, dominating on both sides of the ball in the game. The superstar struck out three batters in the first inning and then provided his own run support afterwards. He threw six scoreless innings and belted three homers. Ohtani also struck out 10 batters in one of the most dominant performances in postseason history.

“He was unbelievable, I don’t think you’ve ever seen a performance like Shohei put forth tonight,” said Dave Roberts, praising Ohtani’s historic outing postgame.

Quick Hits

Entering Friday, only 12 hitters had ever hit three homers in a postseason game, and only 26 pitchers had ever recorded 10+ strikeouts, two or fewer hits, and no runs in a postseason start. Shohei Ohtani accomplished both in the same game.

Ohtani is now the third postseason MVP (WS, NLCS, or ALCS) born in Japan, joining Hideki Matsui (2009 WS) and Koji Uehara (2013 ALCS).

The Dodgers are the second reigning champion in 23 years (Phillies 2009) to earn a return trip to the World Series.

Looking Ahead

Win: Shohei Ohtani Loss: Jose Quintana

The Dodgers have swept the Brewers, headed to their second consecutive World Series. They now await the results of the ALCS series between the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners to see who their opponent will be. Game One of the World Series will be played on Friday, October 24. The Dodgers will also have to wait for the results to see where Game One will be played — Rogers Centre if the Blue Jays win, and Dodger Stadium if the Mariners win.