When Pat Murphy, manager of Milwaukee Brewers fielded reporters at Dodger Stadium on October 17, 2025, the mood was a mix of frustration and resolve. The Brewers trailed 0‑3 in the NLCS after a low‑scoring Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Murphy pointed to the odd shadows that draped the outfield as a hidden adversary.
Shadowed Conditions at Dodger Stadium
The afternoon sun created a stark contrast between bright sections of the sky and deep, moving shadows that crawled across the warning track after the third inning. "The shadows made hitting difficult for both teams," Murphy said, noting that the visual distortion lingered from roughly the second to the sixth inning. Those conditions, he argued, helped explain why "there wasn’t a hard‑hit ball" between two outs during that stretch.
Baseball purists know that even a slight dip in visibility can change a batter’s timing. In this case, the effect was magnified by the stadium’s unique angle to the sun, turning routine fly balls into near‑invisible specks. "It was very unusual," Murphy added, "and that’s why we saw a lot of strikeouts that night."
Pitching Decisions and Jacob Misiorowski’s Role
One of the most debated moves was Murphy’s removal of rookie starter Jacob Misiorowski after he had been "cruising" through six innings. The 23‑year‑old had allowed just two runs, yet the manager pulled him in the seventh, handing the ball to a reliever who surrendered a two‑run homer.
"The situation in our pen and Miz is cruising," Murphy repeated during the press conference. "We take out Miz right there – what questions am I getting when we bring somebody in and they give up two runs?" He emphasized that Misiorowski was still "lined up to pitch the last game" if the Brewers pulled off the improbable comeback.
Analysts from ESPN noted that keeping a hot hand on the mound could have altered the game’s flow, but Murphy defended his decision as a strategic gamble based on bullpen fatigue and the Dodgers’ looming ace rotation.
Strategic Battle Against Shohei Ohtani
Against the Dodgers’ two‑way phenom Shohei Ohtani, the Brewers tried to keep the Japanese star "off balance all series." Murphy highlighted a key at‑bat in Game 3 where a left‑handed reliever faced Ohtani with two outs and nobody on base, resulting in a strikeout.
"Ohtani is one of the best hitters in the game," Murphy said. "We tried to change the look, and it worked at that moment." The move reflected a deeper scouting report that identified Ohtani’s comfort against same‑handed pitching, prompting the Brewers to pepper him with right‑handers in other innings.
Reactions from Both Clubs
Dodger President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman remained upbeat, noting that a 0‑3 lead in a best‑of‑seven is "historically significant" and puts the postseason on a "different level" for Milwaukee. He later sent a brief text to Murphy, the content of which was not disclosed, but the tone was reportedly respectful of the Brewers’ effort.
Within the Brewers’ front office, General Manager David Stearns (mentioned later in the day) reaffirmed confidence in the young roster, citing the team’s 3‑2 win over the Washington Nationals earlier in the season as evidence of their resilience.
Implications of a 0‑3 Deficit
Trailing 0‑3 is a statistical abyss; no team in MLB history has ever rallied to win a league‑championship series from that hole. The odds, according to FiveThirtyEight’s model on October 17, were less than 0.5 % for a Brewers comeback.
Murphy, however, invoked the "extraordinary" mantra that has powered historic comebacks in other sports. "If we can do something extraordinary, Miz is lined up to pitch the last game," he said, hinting at a possible Game 7 scenario if the Brewers pull out a win in Game 4 on October 18.
For fans, the looming elimination elevates every at‑bat to a pressure‑cooker moment. The city of Milwaukee, still reeling from a mid‑season slump, has rallied around the team, filling local bars and streaming platforms with hopeful supporters.
Background: Brewers vs. Dodgers in the 2025 NLCS
The 2025 National League Championship Series pitted a financially robust Dodgers franchise against a Brewers club that relied on homegrown talent and a modest payroll. The Dodgers entered the series with a league‑best 108 wins, while the Brewers finished the regular season at 92‑70, earning a wild‑card berth.
Historically, the Dodgers have dominated postseason matchups, but the Brewers’ run to the NLCS was considered a Cinderella story, highlighted by a dramatic comeback against the Chicago Cubs in the Division Series.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the shadow issue affect hitters in a postseason game?
Shadows can obscure a ball’s trajectory, especially on fly balls and line drives, making it harder for hitters to track pitch location and exit speed. In Game 3, the shifting shadows at Dodger Stadium coincided with a dip in hard‑hit balls and a spike in strikeouts for both teams.
Why did Pat Murphy pull Jacob Misiorowski despite a strong start?
Murphy cited bullpen fatigue and a desire to preserve misfortune‑free innings for later games. He believed the reliever would keep the game close, but the move backfired when the new pitcher surrendered two runs, costing the Brewers a tighter score.
What strategy did the Brewers use against Shohei Ohtani?
They mixed left‑handed specialists in high‑leverage spots to disrupt Ohtani’s timing. The key success came when a left‑hander struck him out with two outs and no runners, showing the tactic can work if executed precisely.
What are the odds of a team coming back from a 0‑3 deficit in the NLCS?
Historically, no MLB team has ever won a league‑championship series after falling behind 0‑3. Statistical models place the chance at under half a percent, making the Brewers’ task one of the toughest odds in sports history.
When is Game 4 scheduled and what does it mean for the Brewers?
Game 4 kicks off on October 18, 2025, at Dodger Stadium. A win would keep Milwaukee alive and force a decisive Game 5, while a loss ends their season. The game’s outcome will hinge on whether the Brewers can adjust to the lighting conditions and execute their pitching plan.
