Dennis Krause Blog: Dodgers Push Brewers to the Edge of Elimination
Oh boy, folks, if you're a baseball fan, buckle up—this is the kind of nail-biting drama that keeps us all glued to our screens! The Milwaukee Brewers are just one more defeat away from a complete sweep by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series. After Thursday night's 3-1 loss in LA, the Dodgers now hold a commanding 3-0 lead, and the pressure is mounting for Milwaukee to turn things around before it's too late.
But here's where it gets controversial—does this series prove the Dodgers are unbeatable, or is there still a glimmer of hope for an epic comeback? Let's dive into the details and see what really happened.
The story feels eerily familiar in this matchup. Milwaukee's offense has been eerily silent, scoring just a single run in each of the three NLCS games so far. It's not rocket science to understand why they've fallen short every time—starter Tyler Glasnow and the Dodgers' often-criticized bullpen have completely shut down the Brewers' bats, turning every at-bat into an uphill battle. For beginners new to baseball, think of it like this: the offense is the heart of the team, pumping energy into runs, but when it's quiet, the whole game stalls out, making wins feel impossible.
Brewers opener Aaron Ashby, who starts games with high energy, allowed a quick run early and was pulled almost immediately. Relief pitcher Jacob Misiorowski stepped up brilliantly, pitching five solid innings, but the Dodgers capitalized in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie with two crucial runs. The first crossed the plate on a sharp single by Tommy Edman, and the second came courtesy of a risky and errant pickoff throw to first base by catcher Abner Uribe— a play that could spark endless debates about whether it was a bold strategy or a costly mistake.
All season, the Brewers have shocked everyone by staying resilient and refusing to crumble under pressure, defying odds and experts alike. And this is the part most people miss: their gritty determination has been a highlight, showing how baseball can be about heart as much as skill. However, with Game 4 looming and outfielder Jackson Chourio's availability in doubt—he exited Thursday's game due to a potential hamstring tweak—the outlook for Milwaukee looks pretty grim. For context, hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky in sports; they can sideline players for weeks, turning a team's momentum on a dime.
To put this into perspective, let's look at MLB history. In seven-game playoff series, 41 teams have ever found themselves up 3-0. Out of those, a whopping 31 went on to sweep their opponents, clinching in four straight. Only one team has ever clawed back from that abyss: the 2004 Boston Red Sox, who flipped the script against the New York Yankees—led by their current Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts—and won the series. It's a rare feat that fuels endless "what if" discussions. Could the Brewers be the next underdogs to make history, or is the Dodgers' dominance the new norm?
And speaking of the Dodgers, superstar Shohei Ohtani hasn't been lighting up the scoreboard with his bat in this series, which might surprise some fans expecting his usual fireworks. But here's your teaser: he'll take the mound Friday night, pitching for the chance to end the Brewers' season and send LA to the World Series. Ohtani's two-way brilliance—hitting and pitching—is one of those controversial topics in modern baseball; some argue it revolutionizes the game, while others say it exploits rules and gives teams an unfair edge. What do you think—should players like Ohtani be allowed to do both, or does it change the sport in ways we haven't fully considered?
As we head into what could be a decisive Game 4, the stakes couldn't be higher. Will the Brewers dig deep and fight back, or will the Dodgers complete their sweep? Baseball history suggests the odds are stacked against Milwaukee, but miracles happen. What are your thoughts—do you believe in comebacks from 3-0 deficits, or is this just the Dodgers' time to shine? Drop your opinions in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have a wild theory about how the series might unfold!
