The short version
- The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series to advance to the World Series.
- Milwaukee rallied from a four-run deficit, fueled by home runs from Garrett Mitchell and David Hamilton and strong relief pitching.
- The team will face either the Cleveland Guardians or Tampa Bay Rays in the championship series beginning on October 23.
The Milwaukee Brewers have advanced to the World Series for the first time in 44 years, completing a four-game sweep of the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The decisive victory came on Thursday night during Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, marking a dramatic turnaround for a franchise that was swept by Los Angeles in the same round last season. This appearance ends a long championship drought for Milwaukee, whose previous World Series trip occurred in 1982 when they were still an American League team.
The path to victory required overcoming significant early adversity. The Dodgers established a commanding four-run lead in the second inning, driven by a one-out RBI single from Andy Pages and a three-run home run from Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani’s return to the leadoff spot produced immediate results, though he also recorded three strikeouts while managing discomfort in his knee and biceps. The early dominance suggested a potential repeat of the previous year’s outcome, but Milwaukee refused to fold under the pressure.
The momentum shifted decisively in the middle innings as Milwaukee chipped away at the deficit. Jake Bauers initiated the comeback with a two-run ground-rule double in the fourth inning, cutting the lead in half. David Hamilton further narrowed the gap with an RBI single in the fifth, bringing the score to 4-3 and ending Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow’s night. Glasnow had allowed four runs on three hits and two walks over 4.1 innings before being replaced.
The tying blow came through a combination of aggressive baserunning and relief pitching struggles for Los Angeles. After Evan Phillips loaded the bases with two outs, Alex Vesia entered the game and walked Bauers on four pitches to force in the go-ahead run. This sequence leveled the score at 4-4, setting the stage for Milwaukee to take control. The Brewers’ ability to stay composed and execute under pressure was highlighted by veteran Christian Yelich, who noted the team’s focus on staying together and chipping away at the lead.
Garrett Mitchell provided the decisive blow in the sixth inning with a leadoff home run off Tanner Scott. The Southern California native and UCLA alumnus took advantage of the opportunity to put Milwaukee ahead 5-4. This moment proved critical, as it allowed the Brewers’ pitching staff to settle into a rhythm that would define the remainder of the contest. Mitchell described the experience as fulfilling a childhood dream, underscoring the emotional weight of the achievement for the roster.
The final innings showcased the strength of Milwaukee’s bullpen, which held the Dodgers scoreless over the last seven frames. Catcher William Contreras guided the pitching staff through a complex bullpen game, ensuring that each reliever was prepared for their specific role. JoJo Romero pitched two effective innings, while Aaron Ashby closed out the series with three scoreless frames and his second postseason save. Ashby credited the team’s resilience, noting that they survived a difficult loss last year to return with renewed determination.
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the comprehensive nature of the defeat, stating that Milwaukee outplayed them in every facet of the game. He emphasized that there were no apologies for his team, who gave their all despite falling short. The Dodgers wasted several scoring opportunities in the later innings, including doubles from Kyle Tucker and Andy Pages, but Milwaukee’s defense and pitching prevented any further damage. Hamilton sealed the victory with a two-out home run in the ninth inning against Edwin Diaz, adding to his postseason heroics despite having only four home runs during the regular season.
The Brewers will now prepare for the World Series, which begins on October 23 at home. They will face the winner of the American League Championship Series between the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Guardians currently hold a 2-1 series lead after a 3-2 victory on Thursday. Milwaukee’s journey from last year’s sweep to this year’s championship berth highlights the volatile nature of postseason baseball, where momentum and execution can shift rapidly between games.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- NPR↗Brewers sweep the Dodgers to reach the World Series for the first time since 1982
- The Guardian US↗Brilliant Brewers reach first World Series since 1982 as Dodgers blow 4-0 lead
