The Los Angeles Dodgers are poised to become the first defending champion to reach the World Series in 16 years.

Tommy Edman hit a tiebreaking single off hard-throwing rookie Jacob Misiorowski in a two-run sixth inning, and the Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 on Thursday to take a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven NL Championship Series.

A team that needed to win a Wild Card Series at the start of the playoffs is 8-1 in the postseason behind outstanding starting pitching, an improved bullpen and just enough offense.

No defending champion has reached the World Series since the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies. No team has won consecutive titles since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees took three in a row.

Milwaukee, which swept the Dodgers 6-0 during the regular season, has lost its last 10

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