When Freddy Peralta, the starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, took the mound on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at American Family Field, the stakes were sky‑high. He faced the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, and the outcome would tilt the series toward a possible early exit.
Game 2 Recap and Peralta's Performance
The first inning looked promising. Peralta fired a 19‑pitch barrage, striking out the slumping Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith. Meanwhile, Jackson Chourio launched a first‑pitch home run off Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, giving Milwaukee a 1‑0 lead.
But the Dodgers answered back in the second inning, stringing hits that pushed them ahead. Max Muncy capped the rally with a late homer that not only broke the Brewers' hopes for a “fairy‑tale” night, it set a new NLCS record for most home runs in a single game for a Dodgers player. Peralta ultimately logged 5 2/3 innings, surrendering three earned runs and striking out four. The final score? A 5‑1 defeat that left the Brewers trailing 0‑2 in the best‑of‑seven series.
Brewers' Pitching Woes: A Season‑Long Story
What made the loss feel especially painful is the thin‑air depth of Milwaukee’s rotation this year. After trading Corbin Burnes ahead of the 2024 season and watching Brandon Woodruff battle shoulder surgery, the club was left with a makeshift trio. Peralta’s 17‑6 regular‑season record, a sparkling 2.70 ERA across 33 starts, made him the clear ace. Yet his postseason numbers tell a different story: a 4.66 ERA over 9.2 innings, 15 strikeouts and three home runs allowed.
According to ESPN’s October 2025 postseason tracker, Peralta’s Game 1 outing was a wobble – four innings, three runs, and a game score of 48. He improved slightly in Game 2, but the Dodgers’ lineup proved too deep for a depleted staff. The Brewers’ “one‑and‑a‑half starters” remark from manager Pat Murphy now feels like a grim prophecy.
Manager Pat Murphy’s Dilemma
Pat Murphy, the Brewers’ skipper since the 2022 season, has been vocal about the thin rotation. In a pre‑Game 1 press conference, he said the club “basically have one‑and‑a‑half starters available, or maybe a total of two.” That line echoed after his tunnel chat with Peralta during Game 2, where rumors swirled that the pitcher was pleading for a sixth‑inning slot – a move that would have cracked the already fragile bullpen.
Murphy’s own words from a spring‑training session in March 2025 still ring: “You’re the guy. You’re coming into the year the ace. And the ace has to post.” The pressure on Peralta now feels like a weight of an entire franchise, and the manager must decide whether to gamble on a stretched starter or lean on a bullpen that’s scarcely rested.
What the Dodgers Bring to the Series
The Dodgers entered the NLCS with a fully healthy rotation, highlighted by veteran right‑hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto and a deep, power‑laden lineup. Their offensive depth – Ohtani, Muncy, Smith, and a cadre of role players – has been a nightmare for opponents all season. The team’s defensive metrics rank in the top three across MLB, and their bullpen, anchored by Kenley Jansen, has posted a sub‑1.00 ERA in September.
Statistically, Los Angeles holds a 3‑1 advantage in runs per game during the postseason, and they’ve outscored opponents by an average of 2.9 runs. That offensive firepower, combined with a rotation that seldom falters, makes Milwaukee’s task uphill. If the Dodgers can keep pressing with timely hits – as they did in the second inning of Game 2 – the Brewers’ chances dim further.
Looking Ahead: Games 3‑5 at Dodger Stadium
Game 3 kicks off Wednesday, October 15, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The Brewers must win three straight to stay alive, a feat that has only happened three times in NLCS history. If they manage to steal one, the series shifts to a 2‑2 tie and the pressure flips back onto the Dodgers.
The key question: who will start Game 3? With Peralta likely staying rested, the Brewers may lean on a spot start – perhaps involving reliever Abner Uribe or a surprise arm from the farm system. Meanwhile, Los Angeles will probably lock down Yamamoto again, trusting his durability.
Beyond the tactical moves, the emotional weight of the series can’t be ignored. Fans in Milwaukee have already packed American Family Field for two nights, chanting “Go Ferdy!” while also grappling with the reality that their postseason hopes hinge on a single arm. If the Brewers pull off a comeback, it will be talked about for decades. If not, it will add another chapter to a franchise that has struggled to break the “draft‑and‑develop” ceiling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this series affect the Brewers' future roster decisions?
The NLCS highlighted the fragility of Milwaukee’s rotation without Burnes and Woodruff. Management is expected to prioritize acquiring a durable third starter in the off‑season, either via free agency or trade, and to bolster the bullpen depth that was stretched thin in Games 1 and 2.
What are the odds of the Brewers winning three straight games on the road?
Historically, teams down 0‑2 in a best‑of‑seven NLCS win the next three games about 15% of the time. Against a Dodgers squad that boasts a sub‑1.00 bullpen ERA and a deep lineup, the odds are slimmer, but a hot start from a reliever could swing momentum.
Who are the key players to watch for the Dodgers in the upcoming games?
Keep an eye on Shohei Ohtani’s dual threat as a power hitter and pitcher, Max Muncy’s clutch home‑run potential, and rookie outfielder Tommy Pham, who’s been delivering high‑percentage contact. On the mound, Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s command will be crucial.
What led to the Brewers' pitching staff being so depleted?
Two major moves left the rotation thin: the trade of Corbin Burnes in November 2023, which removed a proven ace, and Brandon Woodruff’s shoulder surgery that kept him out for the entire 2025 season. Those decisions, combined with injuries to younger arms, forced the Brewers to rely heavily on Peralta.
When is the next game and where can fans watch it?
Game 3 starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. It will be broadcast nationally on TBS and streamed live via MLB.tv.
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