Dodgers face Brewers in NLCS rematch; pitching duel headlines Game 1

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers opened the 2026 National League Championship Series on October 12 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, with the contest featuring two of baseball's most dominant pitchers. Dodgers left-hander Tarik Skubal, acquired at the trade deadline, started opposite Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, the 2026 regular-season ERA leader (1.80) and strikeout king (252). The game began with a scoreless first inning after Mookie Betts grounded out, Freddie Freeman singled, and Will Smith grounded into a double play against Misiorowski. Skubal struck out Jackson Chourio and William Contreras while Brice Turang grounded out in his inning of work.

This series marks a rematch of the 2025 NLCS, when the Dodgers swept the Brewers in four games. The matchup reunites the National League's two winningest teams from the 2026 regular season—the Brewers (103–59, first in NL Central) and Dodgers (100–62, first in NL West)—both of which advanced through the division series in four games. The Brewers defeated the San Diego Padres, while the Dodgers eliminated the Atlanta Braves behind a 1.69 postseason ERA from their rotation. The two teams have faced each other in the NLCS three consecutive times, having also met in a seven-game series in 2018.

For the Dodgers, a third consecutive World Series title remains the objective; the team has won back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025. For the Brewers, the series represents a chance for redemption in their franchise history, having never won a World Series in 58 years and last appearing in one in 1982. The Brewers have improved their roster compared to last year's sweep, with Misiorowski emerging as a dominant starter, while the Dodgers added Skubal and outfielder Kyle Tucker. However, Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani has struggled with injuries—a left knee issue since July and right biceps inflammation—affecting both his availability and offensive production. He went 2 for 13 in the NLDS and has not homered since August 18, prompting manager Dave Roberts to move him to the fourth spot in the batting order for Game 1.

Skubal enters the postseason with strong credentials, posting a 1.97 ERA in seven career postseason starts and striking out seven across six innings in his NLDS Game 1 appearance. Misiorowski threw the fastest postseason pitch in the pitch-tracking era (104.8 mph) in his NLDS Game 1 start but was knocked out by the fifth inning after throwing 88 pitches as the Padres fouled off 30 pitches in the first four innings. He arrives for Game 1 well-rested and carries a 1.59 ERA with 27 strikeouts against three walks in 17 innings across three career appearances against Los Angeles (two regular-season starts and one relief outing in last year's NLCS).

Both teams' bullpens are rested following three days off after the division series. The Dodgers made one roster change, adding left-hander Justin Wrobleski to their 13-pitcher staff for the NLCS, while removing bench player Hyeseong Kim, whose only NLDS appearance came as a defensive replacement in Game 4. Dodgers utility infielder Miguel Rojas, who sustained a back injury in Game 3 of the division series, remains on the roster for the NLCS and will be used primarily as a defensive replacement against left-handed pitching. Edwin Díaz returned to a larger postseason role after injuries limited him to 21 regular-season appearances; the closer emphasized the personal significance of his opportunity after the Dodgers supported his recovery late in the season.