On Monday, October 13, 2025, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Milwaukee Brewers 2‑1 in Game 1 of the National League Championship SeriesDodger Stadium. The decisive moment? A chaotic double play pulled off by Brewers center fielder Sal Frelick, center fielder that snatched a would‑be grand slam from Max Muncy, first baseman.
Historical Context: A Rivalry That’s Been Brewing
Both clubs entered the 2025 postseason with league‑best records – the Dodgers finished 93‑69 to clinch the NL West, while the Brewers posted a 97‑65 mark to capture the NL Central. Their last postseason showdown was the 2018 NLCS, a series that went the full seven games and left fans still debating who had the edge.
Fast‑forward to 2025, and the NLCS matchup felt like a continuation of that saga. The Dodgers, fresh off a 2025 World Series‑bound season, leaned on a potent lineup anchored by veterans like Freddie Freeman, first baseman. The Brewers, meanwhile, rode the ace arm of Blake Snell, starting pitcher, whose 2024 ERA was the best in the league.
The Play That Turned the Tide
It was the bottom of the fourth. With two outs, Muncy launched a 104 mph fly ball that seemed destined for a 404‑foot homer – a distance that, according to Statcast, would have cleared the fence at eight other major‑league parks.
Frelick sprinted to the wall, leapt at the very edge of the right‑center field fence, and snatched the ball out of the air. Instantly, he fired a laser‑accurate throw to William Contreras, second baseman, who relayed to first‑base infielder Joey Ortiz, shortstop. The runner, who had already turned back thinking the ball was clear, was doubled off.
Statcast logged the ball as the second‑longest ever involved in a double play since the system began in 2015. The play was officially scored as a fielder’s choice groundout – a rarity for a fly ball.
Reactions From the Field
Brewers manager Pat Murphy, manager could barely contain his disbelief: “It’s very unusual. It’s tough for the baserunner to figure out what happened. But it’s one of those plays in baseball, we got very fortunate there. Great defense on our guys’ part for Sal and Contreras to be that heads‑up. Joey making the throw. That was big.”
On the other side, a bewildered Muncy admitted, “He made an incredible play in center field. I’m still kind of confused as to what all went down… It’s definitely the worst fielder’s‑choice double play I’ve ever hit into in my life.”
Impact on Win Probabilities and the Series
Before the play, win probability models gave the Dodgers an 88 % chance of winning the game, based on a 4‑0 lead that would have resulted from the grand slam. After the double play, the Brewers’ chances surged to 56 %, with the score still 1‑0 Dodgers. The swing in probability illustrates just how much a single defensive gem can reshape a game – and a series.
Freeman’s first‑inning solo homer had set the early tone, and a subsequent RBI single from Will Smith stretched the lead to 2‑0. Snell, meanwhile, blanked the Dodgers for seven innings, racking up nine strikeouts and allowing only one hit, making the fourth‑inning drama all the more pivotal.
What This Means for Game 2 and Beyond
With the series now 1‑0, the Dodgers retain home‑field advantage but can’t afford another defensive miscue. The Brewers, buoyed by Frelick’s heroics, will look to press their advantage early, possibly deploying a small‑ball approach to avoid giving the Dodgers big innings.
Analysts expect Snell to return to the mound for Game 2, while Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw, starting pitcher is slated to start the next game, setting up a classic ace‑versus‑ace duel.
Key Facts
- Date & venue: October 13, 2025, Dodger Stadium
- Sal Frelick
- Blake Snell (7 IP, 9 K)
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Sal Frelick’s double play change the game’s outcome?
Frelick’s catch turned a potential four‑run homer into a double play, swinging the win probability from an 88 % Dodgers lead to a 56 % Brewers advantage. Without it, Los Angeles likely would have taken a 5‑0 lead, making a comeback far less plausible.
What does this play mean for the Brewers’ strategy in Game 2?
The Brewers now have confidence in their defense and will probably emphasize aggressive baserunning and small‑ball tactics to manufacture runs early, avoiding reliance on big home runs that could be neutralized by the Dodgers’ pitching staff.
Who were the key pitchers in Game 1 and how did they perform?
Milwaukee’s Blake Snell delivered a dominant line – seven shutout innings, one hit, nine strikeouts. Los Angeles countered with starter Kershaw (not in this game) for the next start; in Game 1, the Dodgers used a bullpen approach after Snell’s spell.
What historical precedents exist for a fly‑ball double play of this magnitude?
Statcast shows only one longer ball in play resulting in a double play since 2015. The last comparable incident was a 416‑foot fly that turned into a double play in 2019, also occurring in a postseason setting, but none involved a potential grand slam.
Will Max Muncy’s at‑bat affect his role in the series?
Muncy’s swing may be scrutinized, but his power remains a cornerstone for Dodgers’ offense. He’ll likely stay in the middle of the lineup, with coaches emphasizing a more disciplined approach against Brewers’ pitchers.