The Los Angeles Dodgers are in a brutal spot right now, staring down an 0-2 deficit in the National League Championship Series, and Game 3 is absolutely everything. If they lose tonight, they’ll be down 0-3, a hole only one team in history has ever climbed out of. Man, it’s a completely different vibe than last year, and it’s clear the Milwaukee Brewers are a much better team this time around.
Brewers’ Swagger and Snell’s Warning Shot
You can practically see the confidence radiating off Brewers manager Pat Murphy and his squad when they talk to the media. While they’re not out there trashing the Dodgers’ talent, and most players are quick to say the series is far from over, they’re also super vocal about believing in their own style of baseball and their ability to beat anyone. Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell, who’s on the bump for Game 3, has definitely noticed. “I noticed how they talk, a lot of one-on-one competition is a key for them. The way Pat Murphy talks to the team is way different than last year,” Snell told reporters Tuesday. “So I understand that.” And you know what that means, right? Snell is not about to let that swagger slide.
He followed that up with some serious fighting words, asking, “How do you counter that? How do you get them into a different place? I think They’re in a good spot now, especially being up 2-0 but adversity hits and that’s when thoughts start racing.” Sounds like Snell is determined to deliver a heavy dose of that adversity himself. Remember, before Game 1, Murphy even said he wanted to “step on (Tarik Skubal’s) throat,” a comment he clarified was meant with respect, but it’s the kind of thing that seems to have lit a fire under Snell. The Brewers thrive on those one-on-one battles at the plate, making pitchers grind, and so far, they’re winning those showdowns and feeling good about it.
Game 3: A Chance to Remind Them Who’s Boss
The Brewers have already found ways to win games against top arms like Skubal and even chased Yoshinobu Yamamoto in just the third inning of Game 2. They aren’t going to be scared of Snell. But Snell sounds like he’s ready to remind them exactly who they’re up against: the reigning back-to-back champions. He’s got history against them too, remember Game 1 of last year’s NLCS? Snell went eight shutout innings, allowing just one hit, in a 2-1 win. He absolutely dominated them then, and you can bet he’s looking to do the exact same tonight on his home mound.
If Snell goes out there and dominates, handing the Brewers a decisive loss, that could be the moment self-doubt starts to creep in. Those memories of last season, that confidence that’s been bubbling up, could take a hit. That’s a “dark place” to be, especially when you’re on the road for a three-game stretch. For the Dodgers, that kind of performance from Snell could be the opening they desperately need to at least push this series to a Game 6. Game 3 goes down tonight, and all eyes are on Snell to deliver the blow.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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