The Los Angeles Dodgers enter Monday night’s National League Championship Series opener with momentum from their NLDS victory over Philadelphia and a slight rest advantage. While it took the Brewers five games to advance past the Cubs, the Dodgers wrapped up their series earlier, giving them a few extra days to reset and prepare for what could be their toughest test yet.
It won’t be easy. The Dodgers face the team with the best record and a squad that dominated them during the regular season, sweeping all six meetings in July. But playoff baseball is different, and the Dodgers know exactly what they need to do to punch their ticket to the World Series.
Taking Advantage of Milwaukee’s Rotation
The Brewers are down a key starter with Brandon Woodruff ruled out for the NLCS due to a lat strain. Milwaukee used an opener strategy with Trevor Megill in their Game 5 clincher against the Cubs, followed by rookie Jacob Misiorowski providing four innings. This patchwork approach could continue into the NLCS.
Freddy Peralta remains Milwaukee’s most reliable arm, and he dominated the Dodgers in July with 12 strikeouts in six innings. But beyond Peralta, the Brewers may lean on bullpen games and young arms like Misiorowski, Quinn Priester and Chad Patrick. The Dodgers need to work counts early, force Milwaukee to burn through arms and pile on as many runs as possible before running out the relievers in the late innings.
The key is taking better at-bats and not expanding the zone. Los Angeles went just 3-for-30 with runners in scoring position across those six regular-season meetings against the Brewers. That cannot continue. Milwaukee’s pitching staff posted a 3.00 ERA in the postseason so far, but their rotation depth issues create a vulnerability the Dodgers must exploit.
Ohtani and the Big Bats Must Deliver
While Shohei Ohtani could be starting Game 1 on the mound, he needs to find a way to ignite his bat. The two-way superstar hit 55 home runs and drove in 102 runs during the regular season, but has slashed just .148/.233/.370 so far this postseason, going just 4-for-27 against the Reds and Phillies. Mookie Betts has found his stroke in October, and Freddie Freeman has given the team steady at-bats in the middle of the order.
Los Angeles will need to get steady production from Teoscar Hernandez, Max Muncy, Will Smith, Tommy Edman and Andy Pages to balance out the attack.
The Dodgers are averaging 5.3 runs per game in the postseason with 16 home runs through 10 games. That power needs to continue against a Brewers team that relies heavily on preventing runs rather than scoring them. Milwaukee averaged just 3.4 runs per game over their last 10 contests.
Starting Pitching Sets the Tone
The Los Angeles rotation has been dominant in October, posting a 2.54 ERA with 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings. Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Ohtani need to provide length and keep games close early. The bullpen remains the Dodgers’ most vulnerable area, so getting six or seven quality innings from starters is essential.
“I don’t think I need to bring it up,” manager Dave Roberts said about the 0-6 regular season record against Milwaukee. “I think it’s pretty apparent the Brewers kicked our tails. The players are motivated, but again, regardless of opponent, we’ve got to win this next series. But I do think learning from what those guys did against us to beat us, behooves us.”
The good news? Playoff history is filled with teams overcoming regular-season struggles against opponents. The Dodgers themselves have been on both sides of these turnarounds. All six losses came during a compressed July window when the Dodgers were battling injuries and inconsistency. They’re a different, healthier team now.
Home Field Disadvantage for the Brewers?
The Brewers earned home-field advantage throughout the postseason with the best record in baseball. They’ll host four games if the series goes seven, giving them a clear edge. But the Dodgers have won road playoff series before, and their veteran roster won’t be intimidated by the atmosphere at American Family Field.
The path to a repeat championship runs through Milwaukee. The Dodgers have the talent, the experience and a few extra days off. Now they just need to execute and erase the memory of July’s struggles.
Game 1 starts Monday at 8:08 p.m. Eastern on TBS.