The stage is almost set for the National League! We’re here to share our Brewers vs Dodgers picks with an NLCS Game 2 prediction for Tuesday.
It was an intense Game 1, as the Dodgers squeaked one out on the road to take a 1-0 series lead.
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Brewers vs Dodgers Picks – October 14
The bullpen math heavily favors Los Angeles after Game 1’s usage patterns. Blake Snell’s eight-inning masterpiece meant Dave Roberts only burned two relievers, while Pat Murphy cycled through six arms in a bullpen game. That’s a massive tactical edge heading into Game 2.
Let’s break down what actually matters for Tuesday night.
What Happened in NLCS Game 1
Blake Snell had video game stuff Monday—faced the minimum 24 batters through eight innings, allowed one hit, struck out 10, walked nobody. It was the first time a pitcher faced the minimum through eight postseason innings since Don Larsen’s 1956 perfect game.
Then Roki Sasaki entered for the ninth and immediately put two runners on before surrendering a sacrifice fly to Jackson Chourio.
Blake Treinen bailed him out with the bases loaded, striking out Brice Turang to preserve the 2-1 win. But make no mistake—the Dodgers’ bullpen remains shaky (5.75 ERA this postseason) while Milwaukee’s relievers have been lights-out (1.20 NLDS ERA).
The game’s wildest moment? Max Muncy’s bases-loaded drive that should’ve been a grand slam but turned into an 8-6-2 double play—the first in postseason history—when Sal Frelick made an impossible catch off the wall. That swing turned a potential 4-0 Dodgers lead into a scoreless game.
Freddie Freeman’s solo shot in the sixth provided the game-winner, but Milwaukee’s offense managed just two hits against Snell. That can’t happen again if the Brewers want to survive.
Brewers vs Dodgers Probable Pitchers – Game 2 Tonight
Here’s what matters about Yoshinobu Yamamoto: forget the July 7 disaster at this ballpark (knocked out after two outs, five runs allowed). That was three months ago. What matters is his recent body of work:
- September 2025: 27.0 IP, 0.67 ERA, 34 Ks
- 2025 Postseason: 10.2 IP, 2.53 ERA, 11 Ks
That’s roughly a 0.95 ERA across 37.2 innings spanning six weeks—the most relevant sample we have. The $325 million man has been elite when it matters most, with a devastating splitter (40% whiff rate) and a 95-99 mph fastball that plays up.
Freddy Peralta counters with his own dominance—led the NL with 17 wins, posted a 2.71 ERA with 204 strikeouts. He faced the Dodgers twice in July and went 11 innings, allowing just four earned runs.
On that same July 7 game where Yamamoto imploded, Peralta threw six scoreless innings. He knows he can beat this lineup.
The concern? Peralta’s last start (NLDS Game 4) was rough—4 innings, 3 earned runs, 3 home runs. But his arsenal (94-95 mph fastball, hard changeup, sharp curveball) gives him the stuff to match Yamamoto pitch-for-pitch if he’s locating.
Why The Dodgers Will Win Tonight
The bullpen is where LA holds a significant edge. After Snell’s eight-inning gem, Roberts has nearly everyone fresh for Game 2.
Roki Sasaki (22 pitches) is likely unavailable, but Blake Treinen (despite pitching yesterday), Alex Vesia, and Emmet Sheehan are all rested and ready for high-leverage situations.
Shohei Ohtani is struggling, hitting .138 this postseason. Dave Roberts essentially called him out Monday: “We’re not going to win the World Series with that sort of performance.”
The pressure’s on the $700 million man to deliver against a right-handed starter he should dominate. Eventually, you’d think the best player on Earth will get going.
The rest of LA’s lineup is producing: Mookie Betts is hitting .333 this postseason, Freddie Freeman delivered the game-winner Monday, and the lineup’s too talented to stay this cold with runners in scoring position.
Why The Brewers Will Win Tonight
Milwaukee’s offense runs through Jackson Chourio, the 21-year-old, who is hitting .333 with 7 RBIs this postseason.
He drove in Milwaukee’s only run Monday with a sacrifice fly. Christian Yelich and William Contreras need to wake up after going a combined 0-for-6 in Game 1.
Milwaukee’s contact-oriented approach generated just two hits Monday against elite pitching. They need to be more aggressive early and put pressure on Yamamoto before the Dodgers’ rested bullpen takes over.
Bottom line: If Peralta can give Milwaukee 6-7 quality innings, the Brewers stay competitive. That’s the biggest key
Brewers vs Dodgers Picks – NLCS Game 2 Prediction
I get the appeal of backing Milwaukee at home in a must-win situation with their ace on the mound.
The narrative’s there—desperate team, home crowd, Peralta’s July success against LA. But when you work backwards from the systematic analysis, the edge points to Los Angeles.
NLCS Game 2 Prediction: Dodgers Moneyline
Yamamoto’s recent dominance is real. Five earned runs over his last 37.2 innings pitched isn’t luck—that’s elite execution with his best stuff. Yes, he got crushed here in July, but that was 90 days ago. Recent form matters more – and so does long-term pedigree.
The bullpen advantage is massive. This game likely stays close through six innings. When it’s 2-2-ish in the seventh and managers turn to their bullpens, LA’s got fresh high-leverage arms while Milwaukee’s running on fumes.
