Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell etched his name into postseason lore with a virtually flawless eight-inning, one-hit performance in Game 1 of the NLCS, silencing the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1, even as the Dodgers’ bullpen delivered a ninth-inning scare. Concurrently, the Seattle Mariners continued their dominant run, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the ALCS after a decisive 10-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, moving them closer to their first World Series in franchise history.
The 2025 Major League Baseball postseason burst into full swing with a pair of captivating Championship Series openers that saw dominant pitching in one league and an offensive explosion in the other. In the National League, Blake Snell delivered a performance that immediately entered Dodgers lore, while the Seattle Mariners continued their impressive march toward history in the American League. These contrasting victories set a thrilling tone for what promises to be an unforgettable playoff season.
Snell’s Historic Outing: A True Postseason Gem
Blake Snell wasn’t just good; he was historic. The 32-year-old left-hander delivered an eight-inning shutout performance against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS), allowing only one hit, walking none, and striking out 10 batters. This brilliant display powered the Los Angeles Dodgers to a crucial 2-1 victory.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy, a veteran of 10 years in Milwaukee’s dugout, lauded Snell’s performance, calling it “the most dominant performance against us, I’ve been here 10 years.” Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman echoed this sentiment, describing Snell’s outing as a “masterpiece.”
Snell’s outing was nothing short of historic, placing him in elite postseason company. His performance statistics illustrate his dominance:
- Innings Pitched: 8.0 — Most by a Dodgers starter in postseason since Walker Buehler (2019).
- Hits Allowed: 1 — Fewest by a Dodgers pitcher in NLCS history.
- Strikeouts: 10 — Most by a Dodgers left-hander since Clayton Kershaw (2013).
- Walks: 0 — First Dodger with 10+ K and 0 BB in postseason.
- Batters Faced: 24 — Fewest since Don Larsen’s perfect game (1956).
He also became the first pitcher in postseason history to throw at least eight innings with 10 strikeouts, zero walks, and no more than one hit allowed, a truly unparalleled statistical gem, as reported by AP News. Only a third-inning single by Caleb Durbin, who was immediately picked off, interrupted his otherwise perfect run.
The Dodgers signed Snell last year on a reported five-year, $182 million deal, and he has certainly lived up to expectations in his first postseason with the team. “Even playing against them, watching, it was just always in the back of my mind, like, I wanted to be a Dodger and play on that team,” Snell reflected after the win. “To be here now, it’s a dream come true. I’m just going to do the best I can to help us win a World Series.”
The Ninth-Inning Scare: Bullpen Drama Tests Dodgers’ Resolve
Despite Snell’s historic efforts, the Dodgers’ bullpen nearly let the game slip away in the ninth inning, much to the anxiety of the Los Angeles faithful. Leading 2-0, manager Dave Roberts turned to rookie sensation Roki Sasaki, who had previously pitched 5⅓ scoreless postseason innings. However, Sasaki faltered, issuing a walk to Isaac Collins and surrendering a ground-rule double to pinch-hitter Jake Bauers, allowing the Brewers to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Veteran closer Blake Treinen was called in with the bases loaded and two outs. After some initial control issues, Treinen ultimately struck out Brice Turang with a neck-high fastball, clinching the nerve-wracking 2-1 victory. “That’s kind of what you envision in the playoffs. You’re on the edge of your seat for all nine innings,” Freddie Freeman commented on the tense finish. Treinen himself acknowledged the significance, stating it was “a big step forward” after battling command issues earlier in the season, as detailed by CNN Sport.
Offensive Contributions and Missed Opportunities
On the offensive side, Freddie Freeman provided the game’s first run with a towering solo homer in the sixth inning off Chad Patrick, breaking the scoreless tie. The Dodgers added a crucial insurance run in the ninth when Mookie Betts drew a bases-loaded walk from Abner Uribe. However, Los Angeles also squandered several scoring opportunities, including a bizarre near-grand-slam double play in the fourth inning.
With the bases loaded, Max Muncy hit a deep drive to center that appeared to be robbed at the wall by Sal Frelick. The ball popped out of Frelick’s glove, hit the top of the fence, and bounced back into his mitt. Unaware of the missed catch, the Dodgers’ baserunners retreated to tag up, leading to a rare 8-6-2 double play that stunned everyone. This moment underscored the high stakes and unpredictable nature of postseason baseball, highlighting the contrast between the Brewers, MLB’s smallest-market team, and the star-studded Dodgers.
Mariners Dominate Blue Jays, Eyeing Franchise History
While the Dodgers were battling to secure their NLCS opener, the Seattle Mariners were making a statement in the American League Championship Series (ALCS), racing into a commanding 2-0 series lead. Their dominant 10-3 win against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday showcased their powerful offense, putting them in an excellent position to reach their first World Series final in franchise history.
Julio Rodríguez and Jorge Polanco were the heroes of the night, both hitting three-run homers. Polanco’s bomb in the top of the fifth inning, with the score tied at 3-3, proved to be the “turnaround” moment in Game 2, according to the 32-year-old slugger. Further contributions came from JP Crawford’s RBI single in the sixth and Josh Naylor’s two-run homer and a sacrifice fly from Crawford to score Eugenio Suárez in the seventh, capping off a stellar night for the Mariners’ bats. The Mariners are now just two wins away from reaching their first World Series final in franchise history, igniting immense excitement within their fan base.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider acknowledged his team’s struggles, stating, “Slug hasn’t been there for us, has been there for them.” As the series heads back to Seattle for Game 3, Mariners manager Dan Wilson expressed his anticipation: “We’re super excited to get back home. We know what that atmosphere is going to be like.” The change of venue could further fuel Seattle’s momentum as they look to close out the series.
What’s Next: Game 2 Previews and Fan Outlooks
Game 2 of the NLCS is set for Tuesday night in Milwaukee, featuring a highly anticipated pitching duel between Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Los Angeles and Freddy Peralta for Milwaukee. Yamamoto, an All-Star in his debut MLB season, will aim to give the Dodgers a commanding 2-0 series lead before the action shifts to Los Angeles. For the Brewers, upsetting the odds against the stacked Dodgers roster remains a significant challenge, but their near-comeback in Game 1 demonstrates their resilience and fighting spirit.
The fan community is already buzzing, with discussions swirling around the Dodgers’ bullpen reliability and the potential for a deeper postseason run for both teams. Meanwhile, the Mariners’ rapid 2-0 lead has fans dreaming of a historic World Series berth, adding another layer of excitement to this thrilling postseason. With both series heating up, baseball enthusiasts can look forward to more high-stakes drama and unforgettable moments as teams battle for a spot in the World Series.
