Get ready for a showdown that promises fireworks! The reigning World Series champions, the star-studded Los Angeles Dodgers, are set to face the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the NLCS, but there’s a twist—the Brewers dominated them in nine games back in July. Could this be the Brewers’ year to reclaim their World Series glory, a feat they haven’t achieved since 1982? But here’s where it gets controversial: While the Dodgers boast a lineup of household names, the Brewers have been labeled as the ‘above-average Joes’ by their manager, Pat Murphy. Are they underdogs, or is this the year they prove everyone wrong? Let’s dive into everything you need to know for this electrifying matchup.
When and Where to Watch
Game 1 kicks off on Monday at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT/5 p.m. PT) at American Family Field. Tune in on TBS, truTV, or HBO Max to catch all the action. For those outside the U.S., MLB.TV has you covered—though Canadian fans will need to stick with Sportsnet for English coverage or TVA Sports/RDS for French. And this is the part most people miss: International viewers (except Canada) can stream games live, but regional blackouts apply.
Starting Pitchers: The Matchup
The Dodgers’ Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, takes the mound despite missing four months this season due to a shoulder injury. When healthy, he’s a postseason powerhouse with a 6-3 record and a 2.92 ERA. For the Brewers, it’s still a mystery who’ll start Game 1, but Quinn Priester and Freddy Peralta are primed for Games 1 and 2, respectively. Controversial question: Can the Brewers’ bullpen-heavy strategy hold up in a best-of-seven series, or will their lack of traditional starters come back to haunt them?
Projected Lineups
Dodgers: Expect the top four—Shohei Ohtani (DH), Mookie Betts (SS), Freddie Freeman (1B), and Teoscar Hernández (RF)—to stay locked in. Will Smith returns as catcher, and Max Muncy will likely hold down third base if the Brewers start a right-hander. Fun fact: Ohtani’s postseason struggles at the plate have been surprising—he’s hitting just .056 in the NLDS.
Brewers: Facing a lefty starter, the Brewers will likely roll out a lineup similar to Game 5 against the Cubs, featuring Christian Yelich (DH) and William Contreras (C). But here’s the kicker: Contreras has been on fire, hitting .300 with two tie-breaking homers in the NLDS. Can he keep it up?
Bullpen Breakdown
Dodgers: Roki Sasaki has emerged as the go-to closer, capable of multi-inning stints. Emmet Sheehan and Alex Vesia are also key relievers, but Blake Treinen—a postseason hero last year—has had an inconsistent season and may not see high-leverage situations.
Brewers: Abner Uribe showed his versatility with a 22-pitch multi-inning save in Game 5, while Trevor Megill is back and electric after a midseason injury. Lefties Jared Koenig and Aaron Ashby will be crucial against the Dodgers’ left-handed bats. Controversial take: The Brewers’ bullpen depth is impressive, but can they sustain it over a longer series without a traditional rotation?
Injury Updates
Dodgers: Will Smith is playing through a hairline fracture in his hand, and Tommy Edman is managing a lingering ankle issue. Tanner Scott is ineligible for the NLCS but could return later.
Brewers: Brandon Woodruff is out with a lat injury, and Jackson Chourio is still not 100% after a hamstring strain. However, Chourio’s outfield play has been solid despite limited baserunning.
Who’s Hot and Who’s Not
Dodgers: Kiké Hernández is on fire, hitting .318 with 4 RBIs, while Mookie Betts continues his hot streak at .385. Conversely, Shohei Ohtani and Andy Pages are struggling, hitting .056 and .042, respectively.
Brewers: William Contreras is unstoppable with a .650 slugging percentage, while Brice Turang broke out of his slump with a crucial homer in Game 5. Thought-provoking question: Can the Brewers’ role players step up consistently enough to dethrone the Dodgers?
Historical Context
This series is a rematch of the 2018 NLCS, where the Dodgers outlasted the Brewers in seven games. The Dodgers are chasing back-to-back World Series titles, a feat not seen since the Yankees’ 1998-2000 dynasty. Controversial interpretation: Are the Dodgers overdue for a letdown, or will their star power prevail once again?
Final Thoughts
This series has all the makings of a classic. The Dodgers’ star-studded lineup versus the Brewers’ scrappy, bullpen-driven approach. Will experience and talent win out, or will the underdogs rise to the occasion? Let us know your predictions in the comments—who do you think takes Game 1, and why?
