When Blake Snell, left‑handed pitcher of Los Angeles Dodgers unleashed a near‑perfect night at Dodger Stadium on October 15, 2025, the Dodgers edged the Milwaukee Brewers 1‑0 in Game 1 of the National League Championship SeriesDodger Stadium. Snell hauled eight innings, faced the minimum 24 batters, struck out 10, and allowed just one hit—something not seen in a postseason contest since Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956. The secret weapon? His changeup, which baffled right‑handers at a 65.5 % whiff rate, delivering the fifth‑highest single‑pitch whiff rate of the pitch‑tracking era.
Why Snell’s Changeup Stole the Show
Snell’s contract, a five‑year, $182 million deal signed in the 2024‑25 offseason, came with lofty expectations. Yet the changeup, a pitch he honed in the minors, became the centerpiece of his October arsenal. Unlike a fastball, the changeup arrives on the same arm speed but drops 7–9 mph, forcing hitters to swing early. In this game, Snell threw 58 changeups, eliciting 38 swings‑and‑misses. That 65.5 % whiff rate tops most postseason outings since Statcast began in 2008.
Game 1 Breakdown: Pitch by Pitch
Snell opened the game with a first‑inning strikeout, then surrendered a solo home run to Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers’ first‑season batting average leader, giving LA the only run. After that, Snell settled into a rhythm, retiring the next 13 Brewers batters in a row. He mixed a light two‑seam fastball (averaging 89 mph) with his changeup, never using a fastball in the seventh inning and still retiring the side on eight consecutive pitches. The strikeout tally rose to 10 by the end of the eighth, while his pitch count held at 103—remarkably efficient for a postseason ace.
Reactions from the Dugout and the Bench
"I think it’s the most dominant performance against us," said Pat Murphy, Brewers manager, after the game. "I’ve been here ten years, and I’ve never seen a pitcher lock down a team like that." On the Dodgers side, shortstop Miguel Rojas praised Snell’s poise: "He made it look easy. Every time he threw that changeup, the room went quiet." Even veteran ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who logged the most innings for LA during the regular season, admitted: "Seeing Blake dominate like that gives the whole rotation confidence. We all feel fresher than we ever have in October."
What It Means for the Dodgers’ Championship Run
The Dodgers now lead the NLCS 1‑0, but the series is a best‑of‑seven, so every game matters. Snell’s sub‑1.00 ERA across three playoff starts puts him ahead of fellow October standouts such as Detroit’s Tarik Skubal and Boston’s Garrett Crochet. His performance also buys a strategic edge: the Brewers will likely avoid the changeup in the next game, forcing Snell to rely more on his fastball—something Dodger fans fear could tilt the momentum. Yet the Dodgers’ rotation depth, featuring Tyler Glasnow and two‑way star Shohei Ohtani, ensures they can adapt.
Looking Ahead: World Series Preview
Snell is slated to start Game 1 of the 2025 World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays on October 24, 2025, also at Dodger Stadium. If he can replicate his changeup‑centric dominance, the Dodgers could force a five‑game series at a minimum. Meanwhile, Toronto’s ace Gerrit Cole will look to neutralize Snell’s arsenal. Analysts predict the series will become a battle of pitching depth versus power hitting, with the Dodgers’ offense already showing firepower early in the postseason.
Key Stats From Game 1
- Pitch count: 103
- Batters faced: 24 (minimum for a full game)
- Total strikeouts: 10
- Changeup whiff rate: 65.5 %
- Postseason ERA after game: 0.86
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Snell’s changeup affect Brewers hitters?
The changeup slows the ball 7‑9 mph without changing arm speed, disrupting timing. In Game 1, Brewers right‑handers swung at it 58 times and missed 38, producing a 65.5 % whiff rate that left them virtually powerless for most of the night.
What does this win mean for the Dodgers in the NLCS?
Taking a 1‑0 lead puts Los Angeles in a strong position, but the series is best‑of‑seven. The victory gives the Dodgers momentum and forces the Brewers to adjust their game plan, especially against Snell’s changeup, in Game 2.
Who are the other pitchers the Dodgers could rely on?
Besides Snell, the rotation features Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, power arm Tyler Glasnow, and two‑way star Shohei Ohtani. All have posted sub‑3.00 ERAs this season, providing depth if Snell needs rest.
Will Snell’s performance influence the World Series strategy?
Absolutely. With a 0.86 ERA entering the World Series, the Dodgers are likely to build their game plan around Snell’s changeup dominance, hoping to neutralize the Blue Jays’ power lineup early.
What historical precedent exists for a pitcher allowing only one hit in a postseason game?
The last such feat was Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series. Since then, no pitcher has faced the minimum 24 batters while allowing just one hit, making Snell’s effort the most dominant since that legendary night.
