Brewers vs. Dodgers NLCS Game 3: Gasser Faces Snell With Milwaukee Up 2-0
Milwaukee leads the NLCS 2-0 as the series shifts to Los Angeles, with Robert Gasser and Blake Snell starting and Shohei Ohtani's slump in focus.
The Milwaukee Brewers arrive at Dodger Stadium with a two-game lead over the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Game 3 of the National League Championship Series is on Wednesday, and the Dodgers are searching for a way back into the series.
One correction to a common framing: the Brewers are currently two wins away from the World Series, not one. They would be one win away only if they take Game 3.
Pitching matchup and lineup notes
MLB.com lists Robert Gasser for Milwaukee against two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell for Los Angeles.
Snell started just 20 regular-season games for the Dodgers over two seasons but posted a 2.16 ERA in them. MLB.com described his start in this year's division series as inefficient. He also had big performances in last year's title run, including the NLCS opener in Milwaukee.
On the lineup, MLB.com reports the plan is for Ohtani to start. ESPN's coverage notes that the slumping Ohtani has been dropped to sixth in the batting order. He is 3-for-20 with seven strikeouts and no extra-base hits this postseason. He has not homered in 24 consecutive games, going back to Aug. 19.
The full lineup cards were not included in the source material, so check the official team announcements before first pitch.
How the series got here
The Brewers won both games at American Family Field. In Game 2 they beat the Dodgers 7-4. William Contreras hit a tying homer in the fifth inning and singled home the go-ahead run in the sixth.
Four Milwaukee relievers retired the final 15 Dodgers batters in order. Los Angeles managed three hits and went 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position. That leaves the team 2 for 26 in those spots this postseason.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasted only 2.2 innings, the shortest postseason start of his career. He said afterward he needed to review video to understand why.
The stakes
Los Angeles is trying to become the first NL team to win three straight World Series. The Dodgers last came back from an 0-2 series deficit in 2020, when they beat Atlanta in a seven-game NLCS.
Milwaukee is chasing its first World Series trip since 1982, when it played in the American League. The Brewers were also swept by the Dodgers in last year's NLCS. In 2018 they led this series 2-1 before losing Game 7 at home. Only Christian Yelich remains from that team. The Dodgers still have Kiké Hernández and Max Muncy.
What it means for you
The sources do not give a first-pitch time or a broadcast channel for Game 3. Check your local listings or the MLB and ESPN schedule pages for start times and TV or streaming options in your country. ESPN is running a live-updates page with lineups and game action.
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Quick answers
Who is pitching in Game 3 of the NLCS?
Robert Gasser is the listed starter for the Brewers, and Blake Snell is listed for the Dodgers.
Is Shohei Ohtani playing in Game 3?
MLB.com says the plan is for him to start. ESPN reports he has been moved down to sixth in the order.
How many wins do the Brewers need?
Milwaukee leads 2-0 in a best-of-seven series, so it needs two more wins to reach the World Series.
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