The Los Angeles Dodgers stole Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Monday night in Milwaukee behind a stellar pitching performance by Blake Snell.
However, the Milwaukee Brewers made things interesting in the ninth inning.
The Dodgers added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning on a bases loaded walk, and that ended up being the deciding factor in their 2-1 win over the Brewers.
Dave Roberts questionable bullpen decision pays off again
With a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, Roberts brought in his newly-found lockdown closer Roki Sasaki. However, Sasaki faced trouble for the first time as a closer on Monday night.
The young pitcher allowed two walks and a double that scored a run, put the tying run on third base and the go-ahead run on first base, with two outs.
That's when Roberts decided to pull the young closer and bring in his veteran closer in Blake Treinen.
William Contreras works a walk and the Brewers have bases loaded with two outs in the ninth! pic.twitter.com/GtAVAmCoMp
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 14, 2025
However, Treinen has not been his usual lockdown self this year. The Dodgers' veteran has a 5.40 ERA on the season, and couldn't finish his lone save opportunity this postseason.
But, on Monday night he was able to get the job done. Brewers' catcher William Contreras worked a full-count walk to load the bases, but then second baseman Brice Turang struck out swinging, a pitch after he was nearly hit, which would have scored the game-tying run.
Blake Treinen strikes out Brice Turang, and the @Dodgers survive in the 9th! #NLCS pic.twitter.com/fU1mdh4Erk
— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2025
Roberts' ninth inning pitching decisions in Game 1 were the second time this postseason the Dodgers have nearly blown a ninth-inning lead, but both times, his decisions have paid off.
In Game 2 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, Roberts went to Treinen in the ninth inning with a three-run lead, and he allowed three straight batters to reach and the tying run on second base.
That's when Roberts brought reliever Alex Vesia in before eventually bringing in Sasaki to get the final out and escape with a 4-3 win.
Phillies vs. Blake Treinen:
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) October 7, 2025
single
double
double
lead cut to 4-3 in the 9thpic.twitter.com/0M4AnQomfc
On Monday night, Roberts went to Sasaki right away in a two-run game, but then he began to struggle. So, Roberts went to his veteran in the bullpen, despite his recent struggles, and he wriggled his way out of the jam in a 2-1 victory.
The ironic part is in both games, Game 2 of the NLDS and Game 1 of the NLCS, Snell was the Dodgers starter, and he shutout their opponent.
Roberts ninth inning decisions throughout this playoffs have felt off in the moment multiple times, but the Dodgers' manager has yet to lose because of it.
How long will that last for Los Angeles' skipper? Or, is this just proving Roberts knows what he's doing?
Only time will tell as the two teams are right back on the diamond on Tuesday night for Game 2.