The Dodgers are one win from the World Series after a 3–1 victory in Game 3. Tyler Glasnow battled, the bullpen stayed dominant, and Mookie Betts flashed some Derek Jeter flair with a dazzling play in the ninth. Shohei Ohtani gets the ball on Friday to try to finish the sweep at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers are one win away from returning to the World Series. Following a 3–1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the NLCS, manager Dave Roberts credited his club’s all-around effort while stressing that their work isn’t finished yet.
The story once again centered on pitching. Starter Tyler Glasnow grinded through 5.2 innings, settling in after a rocky start to hold Milwaukee’s left-heavy lineup in check.
“The curveball got better as he went,” Roberts said. “For Tyler to keep his wits and shorten the game — that’s what we need. He’s done that the last six or seven starts.”
Behind him, the bullpen continued its postseason dominance. Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, Rōki Sasaki, and Anthony Banda combined for 3.1 scoreless innings, preserving a slim lead. Banda, who hadn’t pitched in nearly three weeks, impressed his manager with poise.
“The moment’s not too big for him,” Roberts said. “He’s in a good mental space, and I trust him against the middle of the order.”
Roberts emphasized how the group’s confidence has fueled their resurgence.
“They’re battle tested,” he said. “I’ve never lost faith in them, and they’ve never lost confidence in each other.”
Defensively, the Dodgers continue to shine. Mookie Betts opened the ninth inning with a highlight-reel play at shortstop, ranging deep to his backhand and firing a strike across the diamond for the first out. The play had shades of Derek Jeter and set the tone for the Dodgers to finish the job.
“Mookie’s rightfully in the Gold Glove conversation,” Roberts said. “That play let Rōki settle in.”
The rookie right-hander’s path back from struggles hasn’t been easy, but Roberts praised his resilience.
“His growth hasn’t been linear,” Roberts noted. “For him to get healthy and put himself back in this role says a lot about his fight.”
As for Shohei Ohtani, who’s batting .158 this postseason, Roberts showed no hesitation.
“He’s one of the best in the game,” he said. “He’s grinding through it, but I’ll bet on him all day long.”
Ohtani will take the ball Friday in Game 4 at Dodger Stadium as the Dodgers look to complete the sweep and punch their ticket to the World Series.