The Dodgers fell short in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.
Milwaukee secured a two‑run victory over Los Angeles on Sunday. Two‑time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal outpitched NL Cy Young candidate Jacob Misiorowski, while the Dodgers managed only a single run.
Freeman expressed confidence that the defeat would not derail their playoff hopes.
“Any loss in the playoffs is not great, but it’s a long series. It’s just the first game,” he said.
Although the Dodgers boast a stronger starting rotation, Skubal’s five innings proved insufficient to contain the Brewers. Milwaukee’s win in Game 1 can be viewed as a product of Los Angeles’s missed opportunities.
Los Angeles struggled with runners in scoring position, converting only one of six chances and leaving nine baserunners on base. Capitalizing on any of those moments likely would have altered the result.
The defending champions are already looking past the loss and are focused on Game 2.
“We got to focus on the task at hand, and that’s winning the game tomorrow,” Betts said.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the World Series MVP, will take the mound for the Dodgers in Game 2, giving them their best chance to capture a win at American Family Field.