Blake Snell Named Dodgers’ NLCS Game 1 Starter—What It Means for Brewers’ Chances

All eyes will be on Dodger Stadium this Thursday night when Cy Young-winning left-hander Blake Snell takes the mound as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Game 1 starter in the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers. A post-deadline steal turns into October ace Snell, signed to a four-year deal last winter after opting out of his contract with the San Francisco Giants, rewarded the Dodgers with a 15-6 regular-season record and an NL-best 2.42 ERA. Since the calendar flipped to October, he has been even sharper: two playoff starts, 13 innings, two runs allowed, 19 strikeouts and a .120 opponents’ average. Matchup to watch: Snell’s slider vs. Brewers’ lefty mashers Milwaukee finished third in the NL in slugging against breaking balls, but Snell’s slider generated a 46 percent whiff rate in 2025. Keep an eye on Christian Yelich (1.103 OPS this postseason) and Rhys Hoskins, whose career numbers versus Snell (4-for-23, 11 K) tilt the early advantage toward Los Angeles. Dodgers’ rotation set behind Snell Manager Dave Roberts announced that Japanese phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto will follow Snell in Game 2, with Bobby Miller and Walker Buehler lined up for Games 3 and 4 if necessary. The alignment allows Snell to return on normal rest for a potential winner-take-all Game 5. ‘Best chemistry I’ve ever been around’ Snell told reporters Monday that the 2025 Dodgers have “the best team chemistry and energy I’ve ever been a part of in my career,” crediting veterans Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman for creating a clubhouse “where everyone is loose but locked in.” Keys for Los Angeles to seize Game 1 • Get Snell early run support: the Dodgers are 21-3 this year when scoring in the first two innings for him. • Neutralize Milwaukee’s running game; Snell allowed the NL’s fewest stolen bases (4) among qualified starters. • Length matters: an efficient Snell frees a taxed bullpen that threw 11 innings in the NLDS. Historical context This will be Snell’s fifth Championship Series start; he owns a 1.73 ERA over his previous four. The Dodgers, appearing in their fourth NLCS in six seasons, have won each series in which their Game 1 starter lasted at least six innings. Bottom line If Blake Snell performs to his 2025 form, Los Angeles gains a decisive edge in the opener and, by extension, the pennant chase. For a franchise built on October expectations, Thursday night’s showdown is exactly why the Dodgers opened the checkbook for the most dominant left arm on the market.