Brewers embrace underdog status before NLCS matchup with Dodgers

MILWAUKEE - Pat Murphy and his Milwaukee Brewers have embraced an underdog mentality, even though they had the best regular-season record in the major leagues this year.

Their National League Championship Series (NLCS) matchup with the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers enables them to embrace that approach even more.

The series starts Monday, Oct. 13 with Game 1 in Milwaukee. First pitch is at 7:08 p.m.

Game 2 will be played Tuesday, Oct. 14 with first pitch set for 7:08 p.m.

Tickets

What we know:

Limited tickets remain for the 2025 NLCS at American Family Field including standing room only. Fans can purchase now at brewers.com/Postseason, or at the American Family Field Ticket Office on game days and regular ticket office hours.

Parking

What we know:

Pre-paid parking passes can be purchased and digitally delivered for fan convenience. Fans are advised to purchase parking in advance as purchasing day of game parking will be limited with a large attendance. Parking lots will open 3.5 hours before the first pitch and the ballpark gates will open 2.5 hours before the first pitch.

For more information, visit the Brewers website.

Game 1 chalk lineup

What we know:

Thirty minutes before the first pitch, Manager Pat Murphy and the Crew will be welcomed to the field with extra fanfare. Fans will not want to miss cheering on the Crew in this special postseason chalk lineup. 

Giveaway

• Game 1: Fans will receive a Brewers rally towel, courtesy of Aurora Health Care®, upon entry to support their Crew. 
• Game 2: Fans will receive a Brewers rally towel upon entry to support their Crew.

Ceremonial first pitches

• Game 1: Hall of Famer and lifelong Milwaukee Brewer, Robin Yount. Brewers Walk of Fame member Ryan Braun will catch for Yount
• Game 2: Six-time All-Star, 2011 NL MVP, 2007 NL Rookie of the Year and five-time Silver Slugger winner, Ryan Braun.

National Anthem

• Game 1: Whitney Clapper accompanied by Valkyrie, a bald eagle from Schlitz Audubon, and a giant flag on the field held by Brewers Season Seat Members.
• Game 2: August Haas

A tale of two teams

What we know:

The Dodgers are looking for their third World Series title in six years, boast the game’s biggest star in three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani, and have a record spend of payroll and luxury tax totaling $509.5 million. The Brewers play in the smallest market in the major leagues, have never won a title and made their lone World Series appearance in 1982.

Another contrast between these teams: The Dodgers’ projected luxury tax bill of nearly $168 million exceeds Milwaukee’s entire payroll of $124.8 million.

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"The Dodgers are a powerhouse. What can you say?" Murphy said.

BetMGM has established the Dodgers as minus-220 favorites, meaning it gives the Dodgers a 68.8% chance of winning the series. Someone would have to bet $220 on the Dodgers to win $100 if they take the series.

"It doesn’t matter what people say," Brewers second baseman Brice Turang explained. "It matters what we believe in here."

There’s one problem with the Brewers’ underdog narrative. They won all six of their regular-season meetings with the Dodgers.

Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts disagrees with the notion that this is a David vs. Goliath matchup.

"They’re just gritty," Roberts said. "They’re tough. And they take on Murph’s personality. They’ve got some guys that can slug. They’ve got some athleticism. They really defend well. They can pitch well. So it’s like they’re going to be in every game. They’ve got complete buy-in, and so they’re hungry. So those things are components that are scary."

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Who's pitching?

What we know:

Roberts said the Dodgers plan to start Blake Snell in the opener. Murphy didn't announce a Game 1 starter Sunday but mentioned the possibility of using an opener.

Milwaukee's Freddy Peralta and Los Angeles' Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start Game 2 on Tuesday.

Ohtani’s hitting slump

What we know:

Ohtani is expected to win his fourth MVP award after batting .282 with 55 homers and 102 RBIs in the regular season, but he went 1 for 18 with nine strikeouts in the Dodgers’ NL Division Series win over Philadelphia.

He homered three times in the Dodgers’ six meetings with the Brewers.

Roberts said he plans to have Ohtani pitch in one game this series. He added that Ohtani's hitting slump isn't the reason the Dodgers opted against having him pitch Game 1.

"I expect a different output from Shohei on the offensive side this series," Roberts said. "But, yeah, pushing him back was no bearing on the offensive performance."

Sasaki’s surge

What we know:

The Brewers will be getting their first look at Dodgers rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki, who was injured for both of Los Angeles’ regular-season series with Milwaukee.

Sasaki has been spectacular in a bullpen role during the postseason. He has struck out five while allowing one hit and no walks in 5 1/3 shutout innings.

2018 Déjà vu

The backstory:

Milwaukee was a win from a World Series appearance in 2018 before losing 5-1 at home to the Dodgers in Game 7 of the 2018 NLCS. This is Milwaukee’s first NLCS berth since.

Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich was the NL MVP during that 2018 season. The only other Brewers remaining from 2018 are pitchers Brandon Woodruff and Peralta. Woodruff isn’t expected to pitch in the NLCS as he deals with a right lat strain.

Who’s hot, who’s not

By the numbers:

Jackson Chourio batted .389 with six RBIs in Milwaukee’s NLDS win over the Cubs, though he did much of his damage early in that series. Andrew Vaughn and William Contreras homered twice in the NLDS. Chad Patrick threw 4 2/3 shutout innings, while Jacob Misiorowski allowed one run over seven innings.

Milwaukee's Joey Ortiz batted .154. Turang homered in Game 5 but went 3 of 20 in the series.

Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández has hit .308 with three homers and nine RBIs in six playoff games. Mookie Betts is hitting .385 during the postseason. Snell is 2-0 and has allowed just two runs over 13 postseason innings. Tyler Glasnow threw 7 2/3 shutout innings in the NLDS.

Will Smith has gone 2 for 13 and Andy Pages is 1 of 24 in the playoffs.