Yamamoto throws complete game as Dodgers beat Brewers for 2-0 lead in NLCS

Relying on an old-school pitching strategy has the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers two wins from returning to the Fall Classic.

As long as their star-studded rotation can continue working deep into games, they don't need to worry about their inconsistent bullpen.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a three-hitter for the first postseason complete game in eight years as the Dodgers beat the slumping Brewers 5-1 on Tuesday in Milwaukeee to extend their lead in the National League Championship Series. Yamamoto's gem in Game 2 came one night after two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell allowed one hit over eight shutout innings for a 2-1 victory.

"We said before this postseason started, our starting pitching was going to be what carried us," said Max Muncy, who set a Dodgers record by hitting his 14th career postseason homer. "And so far it's been exactly that."

It's a dramatically different approach than the one the Dodgers took last year, when starting pitchers worked six innings in only two of their 16 postseason games. They have seven quality starts in eight playoff games this year, and their starters own a 1.54 postseason ERA.

That stellar pitching has the Dodgers closing in on another World Series berth even with the bullpen struggling and three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani going 2 for 25 at the plate over his last six games.

After winning nine of their last 11 regular-season games, the Dodgers are 7-1 in the postseason.

"Our entire team is playing the best baseball we've played all year," manager Dave Roberts said. "The focus, the concentration level is at the highest, and we're peaking at the right time."

Teoscar Hernandez also homered to help the Dodgers leave Milwaukee with a 2-0 advantage in the