MLB Baseball
2026-10-12 - Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : MLB Playoff NL Championship Series Game 2
Monday 12th October 2026 - Scheduled 5pm EST
10pm (British Time)
Preview
Twelve months ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series and they broke the spirit of the higher Seed by securing two wins on the road. It was not much of a surprise that the Dodgers went on to complete the sweep on their way to another World Series success, but the Brewers will have been anticipating a rematch in the post-season throughout 2026.
Game 1 played out in a similar fashion to Game 1 of the 2025 National League Series.
The Los Angeles Dodgers had seven Hits on the night and more than the Milwaukee Brewers were able to produce, while just three runs were scored in Game 1.
However, the big difference and the most important one is that the Milwaukee Brewers won the 2026 Game 1 by a 2-1 scoreline rather than the Los Angeles Dodgers who had won the opening game by that same scoreline twelve months ago.
It is a result that should have given Milwaukee a lot of belief and they will certainly have a lively crowd behind them when Game 2 is played on Monday. The format of the Major League Baseball Playoffs once they get into the best of seven situation is that the higher Seed will play two on the road before having the lower Seed host the next three games and so Milwaukee will be keen to hold serve one more time and shift all of the pressure on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
A win for the Dodgers could mean Milwaukee do not play another game at home and so there is still a long way to go in this Series, even after the strong opening made by the Brewers.
The top of the starting rotation is key for Milwaukee and they will go with Logan Henderson for Game 2 who made his Playoff debut last week. He may have put together a strong regular season, but Henderson would have been dealing with some nerves in the first post-season outing.
Logan Henderson handled the occasion by holding the San Diego Padres to a single run in 5 Innings thrown, although he did not factor into the decision on the day. The personal performance will have given Logan Henderson a huge boost and he will take confidence from the fact he held the Los Angeles Dodgers to a single run in 12 Innings pitch in the regular season, including keeping them scoreless in 5 Innings thrown at home.
The Brewers will know that they need the pitching staff to be at their best if they are going to find a way to move into a 2-0 lead in the Series. That is very much down to the fact they are facing Yoshinobu Yamamoto who has proven to be a Playoff demon for the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw 7 Innings and gave up a single run against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Divisional Round last week and that has maintained a hugely impressive level in the Playoffs. In the last ten outings made, Yamamoto is operating with a 1.50 ERA and nine of those have been in starts, including throwing a Complete Game in this ballpark last year.
He allowed a single run in helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series last year and Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave up two runs in 13 Innings pitched against the Brewers in the 2026 regular season. In his start in this ballpark, Yamamoto pitched 7 Innings and allowed a single run, while picking up the decision win.
After taking Game 1, Milwaukee have won four of the last five against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Prediction
The bullpen stepped up to help the Milwaukee Brewers win Game 1 of this Series, but the home team may be hoping Logan Henderson can get through few more Innings than Jacob Misiorowski managed to do.
That isn't to say Misiorowski played poorly, but the Brewers need the frontline starters to chew through as many Innings as possible knowing they are likely going to have the bullpen play through Game 3 and perhaps Game 4.
The less time the Los Angeles Dodgers get to see that bullpen, the more likely the Milwaukee Brewers can spring an upset.
Moving into a 2-0 lead is the only ambition on Monday before the Series shifts to Los Angeles, but that also means finding a way to hurt Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Not only is he a top Playoff pitcher, but Yamamoto has shown he enjoys pitching in this ballpark and that makes the Los Angeles Dodgers favourites in Game 2.
However, it is not a game where you would expect Offensive fireworks and backing the under where this total runs line is set looks to be the best way to get involved.
The Pick :
Milwaukee Brewers 1-3 Los Angeles Dodgers
