MLB Baseball
2025-10-13 - Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : MLB Playoff National League Championship Series Game 1
Monday 13th October 2025 - Scheduled 8:08pm
1:08am (British Time)
Preview
The Los Angeles Dodgers avoided having to back to Philadelphia for a deciding game thanks to a huge error made the Phillies at the end of Game 4 and that means the defending Champions will be well rested for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.
Experience and Playoff successes makes the Dodgers very dangerous, but they are not going to be hosting the opening two games of this Series. Instead that honour goes to the Milwaukee Brewers who finished with the best record in the Major League and showed plenty of character to come through the Divisional Round Series against National League Central rivals Chicago Cubs.
After blowing a 2-0 lead the Brewers could easily have panicked, but they came through the Game 5 decider on Saturday in front of the home supporters.
That does mean they are playing with little rest before this Championship Series gets underway and so there are a few more questions about the approach Milwaukee will take.
The consensus is that they will be playing with an opener in Game 1 and then looking for either Jose Quintana or Quinn Priester to come out of the bullpen and try and get through the majority of the Innings.
Both pitchers have made an appearance in the post-season, but it was Quintana who impressed more than Quinn Priester. However, the latter had a stronger overall regular season and also was not knocked around by the Los Angeles Dodgers like Jose Quintana was in his most recent start against this powerful batting lineup.
After completing their Divisional Round win in Game 4, the Dodgers have a clearer picture in mind as to how they will approach this Series.
In something of a surprise, Shohei Ohtani will not be pitching in the first two games of the Series and so is likely to be used just once. Instead it is going to be Blake Snell who starts Game 1, although this is a pitcher who is 2-0 in the 2025 Playoffs and who has a 1.38 ERA in 13 Innings thrown.
Blake Snell has been able to look after the vulnerable bullpen by going through the Innings with at least 6 thrown in each Playoff start. This is the first time he will be facing the Milwaukee Brewers in 2025, but Snell will be pitching with confidence having made five consecutive starts without allowing more than two runs.
The Brewers won all six regular season games between these teams.
Prediction
This has all of the makings of being a fascinating National League Championship Series.
Both batting lineups are very capable, but it may feel like the Los Angeles Dodgers have the edge in the starting pitching rotation.
Milwaukee have the deeper bullpen and so this has the makings of a Series that will come down to the fine margins.
The Dodgers have to be very happy with Blake Snell going to the mound in Game 1 after the veteran has already produced two solid starts in the 2025 Playoffs. That comes after a strong September in the regular season and Blake Snell can give Los Angeles every chance to win this opening game.
If the Milwaukee Brewers can get Blake Snell out of the game before the end of the Sixth Inning, it will feel like a big win for the top Seed in the National League. That would also mean the opener and either Jose Quintana or Quinn Priester performing at a high level, but that is a bit more uncertain and it could mean Milwaukee are chasing a way back into this Game 1.
You have to respect the fact that Milwaukee won all six regular season games, but the Playoffs are different and Los Angeles may do just enough to secure the opening win.
Without having a fuller knowledge about the Brewers plans, it is tough to pick a prop selection for Game 1 of this Series.
However, we have seen the big Los Angeles hitters struggle against Milwaukee all season.
One player who has not had his Playoff moment in 2025 has actually played well against the Brewers and Shohei Ohtani may be worth backing to get out of his current slump in a huge way. He is 3.50 for a Game 1 Home Run and could be the one player that is able to continue his fine form against this opponent at the top of the Dodgers order.
The Pick :
Milwaukee Brewers 3-5 Los Angeles Dodgers
