LOS ANGELES — Forty-four years of waiting are finally over for the Milwaukee Brewers. For the first time since 1982, Milwaukee is headed to the World Series after completing a stunning four-game sweep of the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers with a dramatic 6-4 victory Thursday night.
Garrett Mitchell delivered the biggest swing of the night, launching a go-ahead solo home run off Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott in the sixth inning to complete Milwaukee’s comeback from an early four-run deficit.
The victory secured the Brewers’ first National League pennant in franchise history and ended the Dodgers’ pursuit of becoming the first team in more than two decades to win three consecutive World Series titles. For Milwaukee, the moment represented more than just another postseason victory. It was history.
Dodgers Jump Out Early Behind Ohtani
The Dodgers appeared determined to extend their season after falling behind 3-0 in the National League Championship Series. Shohei Ohtani, who had struggled offensively throughout the series, finally delivered the type of postseason moment Los Angeles desperately needed.
The three-time MVP crushed a 428-foot three-run home run off right-hander Dustin May, helping the Dodgers build a commanding 4-0 advantage. With Tyler Glasnow dominating Milwaukee’s lineup early, Los Angeles appeared positioned to force a Game 5.
Glasnow retired the first nine Brewers hitters he faced, looking nearly unhittable during his first trip through the lineup. But Milwaukee had spent the entire season proving it didn’t need overwhelming power to win baseball games. Thursday night was no different.
Brewers Erase Four-Run Deficit
Milwaukee began chipping away at Los Angeles’ lead with the same aggressive, disciplined approach that helped the club establish a franchise record with 103 regular-season victories.
William Contreras and Jake Bauers delivered consecutive ground-rule doubles, while the Brewers took advantage of five walks and two stolen bases to manufacture offense. There wasn’t one massive hit that erased the deficit. Instead, Milwaukee gradually dismantled the Dodgers’ pitching advantage until the game was tied 4-4.
All four runs were charged to Glasnow, whose early dominance quickly disappeared as Milwaukee began extending at-bats and creating pressure. It was the type of relentless offensive approach that had defined the Brewers throughout their remarkable season. Then came Mitchell.
Garrett Mitchell Delivers the Biggest Swing
With the game tied in the sixth inning, Mitchell stepped into the batter’s box against Scott with an opportunity to change the direction of the game and potentially the series. He didn’t miss. Mitchell connected on a solo home run that put Milwaukee ahead 5-4 and sent the Brewers’ dugout into celebration.
For a team that had spent decades chasing another opportunity to compete for a world championship, Mitchell’s swing brought that dream within reach. It also continued an unexpected power surge by Milwaukee.
Despite entering the series against one of baseball’s most dangerous offensive lineups, the Brewers outhomered Los Angeles 7-1 across four games. The Dodgers had the bigger names. Milwaukee delivered the bigger moments.
Brewers Bullpen Slams the Door
Once Milwaukee grabbed the lead, manager Pat Murphy turned to the strength that had carried his club throughout October. His bullpen. JoJo Romero delivered two scoreless innings, while Aaron Ashby navigated trouble in the seventh and eighth before completing a three-inning save.
David Hamilton added another crucial run in the ninth inning, taking Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz deep for a solo home run that extended Milwaukee’s lead to 6-4. Los Angeles still had an opportunity to rally, but the Brewers refused to allow the Dodgers another postseason escape.
With two outs remaining to complete their historic victory, Milwaukee’s defense continued making plays. The final moment came when Jackson Chourio made a leaping catch on an Enrique Hernández fly ball, securing the final out and officially sending the Brewers to the World Series.
Players poured out of the bullpen and dugout, racing toward the field to celebrate a championship opportunity that had eluded the organization for more than four decades.
Milwaukee Gets Revenge on Dodgers
The sweep carried additional significance considering the recent postseason history between the two franchises. Just one year earlier, Los Angeles swept Milwaukee on its way to another World Series championship.
This time, the Brewers returned the favor. According to the historical account of the series, it marked the first time in MLB postseason history that a team swept an opponent that had swept it the previous season.
Milwaukee also erased the disappointment of previous NLCS defeats against Los Angeles, including the Dodgers’ victory over the Brewers in 2018. The difference this October was Milwaukee’s ability to finish the job.
The Brewers went 7-1 through the National League postseason bracket, using timely hitting, aggressive baserunning and dominant relief pitching to overcome their opponents and now they’re four victories away from baseball’s ultimate prize.
Dodgers’ 3-Peat Bid Comes to an End
For Los Angeles, the defeat brings an abrupt conclusion to another season filled with championship expectations. The Dodgers entered October attempting to win a third consecutive World Series, something no franchise has accomplished since the New York Yankees won three straight championships from 1998 through 2000.
With Ohtani anchoring a star-studded roster and a pitching staff featuring some of baseball’s biggest names, Los Angeles appeared equipped to make another deep postseason run. The defending champions last two months leading up to the post season wasn’t exactly what you’d expect from a championship caliber team.
But the superstars struggles with injuries really impacted his play and the team going into the playoffs. Ohtani’s quest for MVP and Cy Young in the same season came up short in the worst way.
The Dodgers struggled finishing the season and eventually, their average play caught up with them in the NLCS. Against a team that has been sent home by the Dodgers the last three playoffs series that they’ve played since 2018.
Instead, Milwaukee delivered a sweep that few anticipated. The Dodgers now face an offseason filled with questions about what went wrong and how a team built to dominate October managed to win just one game against Milwaukee across two consecutive postseason series combined.For the Brewers, those questions don’t matter. Their season continues.
One More Mountain to Climb
Milwaukee will face either the Cleveland Guardians or Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series, which is scheduled to begin October 23 at American Family Field. It will mark the first World Series game ever played at the Brewers’ current home ballpark.
The franchise’s only previous appearance in the Fall Classic came in 1982, when Milwaukee was still a member of the American League. That team featured franchise legends Robin Yount, Paul Molitor and Cecil Cooper but ultimately fell short of winning the championship.
Forty-four years later, a new generation of Brewers has an opportunity to accomplish something those legendary players couldn’t. Bring a World Series championship to Milwaukee.
The Brewers entered 2026 as one of five active Major League Baseball franchises that had never won a World Series. Now they’re within striking distance of changing that history.
After sweeping the defending champions, Milwaukee has every reason to believe this could finally be its year. The Dodgers were chasing a dynasty. The Brewers were chasing history. On Thursday night in Los Angeles, history won.
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