Roberts Stands By Snell’s Performance Amidst NLCS Collapse
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts faced intense scrutiny following the team's 6-2 defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers in National League Championship Series Game 3 on October 15, 2026. The loss completed a series sweep for Milwaukee and marked the first time in franchise history that the Dodgers lost three straight postseason games without hitting a home run or attempting a stolen base.
Central to the post-game conversation was Roberts' decision to leave starter Blake Snell on the mound during the seventh inning. Snell had thrown 97 pitches and entered the frame with a lead, having retired 13 to 14 consecutive batters prior to the rally. However, his outing ended abruptly when he issued a leadoff walk to Andrew Vaughn before surrendering two home runs that shifted the momentum entirely.
Roberts defended the decision by pointing to Snell’s effectiveness in the earlier frames. "I did what I saw over the first six innings," Roberts stated. "He was doing well, the stuff was effective." He expressed disappointment specifically regarding the leadoff walk, acknowledging it as a critical turning point that allowed the Brewers to capitalize on his presence on the mound.
Brewers’ Youth and Velocity Dominate Dodgers Lineup
The Brewers' victory was fueled by a strategic emphasis on youth and raw power, utilizing their youngest pitching staff in baseball history. Milwaukee’s pitchers threw 66.8% fastballs at an average velocity of 97.9 mph, a tactic designed to counter the aging Dodgers lineup.
This approach yielded immediate results. Jake Bauers hit a two-run home run off Snell, followed shortly by Garrett Mitchell launching a solo shot. These back-to-back blasts gave Milwaukee a 4-2 lead that would hold until the final out. The offensive output was part of a broader trend where the Brewers out-homered the Dodgers 5-0 in the series.
Los Angeles infielder Miguel Rojas attributed the team's struggles directly to the quality of pitching they faced. Rojas noted that Brewers pitchers threw three different types of fastballs with high velocity and good location, making it difficult for Dodgers hitters to make consistent contact. The result was a line of .228 against fastballs and only two extra-base hits in 105 plate appearances.
The Brewers' roster construction also made history during the series. Starting a lineup and pitcher with an average age of 26.1, Milwaukee became the first team in MLB history to start three players aged 22 or younger—Jackson Chourio, Cooper Pratt, and Luis Lara—in a second postseason game.
Looking Ahead to Game 4 and ALCS Action
With the series concluded, attention shifts to the remaining matchups. For the Dodgers, the focus turns to preventing further damage as they attempt to salvage pride in the final game of the NLCS. Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to pitch for the Brewers against the Dodgers in Game 4, bringing another high-velocity arm to the mound.
Meanwhile, in the American League Championship Series, the Cleveland Guardians are preparing for Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Starting pitcher Gavin Williams takes the mound for Cleveland, looking to build on a postseason performance that has seen him strike out 24 hitters over 11.2 innings across three appearances.