The National League Championship Series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 as the Dodgers host the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night at 6:08 PM ET. The Dodgers come in as -190 favorites, with Milwaukee listed at +155 on the moneyline and the total set at 7.5 runs. After two tight games in Milwaukee, the series stands at 2-1 in favor of the Brewers, who have leaned on elite pitching to gain the early edge.
Game 3 at Dodger Stadium marks a pivotal moment in this series. Los Angeles finished 100-70 in the regular season with one of baseball’s best home records at 55-30. Milwaukee, meanwhile, continues to defy the odds, winning key matchups behind a deep pitching staff despite dealing with several injuries. The Brewers took both games in Milwaukee, outscoring Los Angeles 7-2 before dropping Game 3 as the Dodgers avoided a sweep on the road.
DODGERS Preview – Back Home Looking to Spark the Offense
The Dodgers’ offense has yet to find its rhythm against Milwaukee’s pitching. Across the first two games, Los Angeles managed only three total runs, and their top hitters were mostly silent. Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Will Smith combined for just a handful of hits, a far cry from their regular-season production when the Dodgers averaged 5.08 runs per game. Los Angeles has been patient at the plate but struggled to drive in runners in scoring position.
At home, though, the Dodgers tend to come alive. They’ve averaged more than five runs per game at Dodger Stadium this year and lead the National League in home OPS. Freeman and Max Muncy have both slugged better in Los Angeles, while Teoscar Hernández has delivered several clutch homers at home in the postseason. If the Dodgers can get on the board early, they’ll force Milwaukee to lean on its bullpen earlier than it would like.
The pitching side remains a strong point for Los Angeles, even amid some injuries. The Dodgers’ bullpen owns a 3.65 ERA and 1.18 WHIP for the season. Evan Phillips, Alex Vesia, and Anthony Banda have been particularly effective, each holding opponents scoreless in recent outings. Expect Dave Roberts to be aggressive with his bullpen management again, especially if his starter runs into early trouble. The Dodgers have also received strong defensive play behind the mound, which has limited Milwaukee’s extra-base hits.
BREWERS Preview – Pitching Leading the Way
Milwaukee continues to thrive on its identity: dominant pitching, patient hitting, and timely defense. The Brewers’ starters have shut down Los Angeles for much of this series, with Freddy Peralta and Aaron Ashby combining for over 10 innings of one-run ball in Games 1 and 2. The Brewers’ bullpen has backed them up, entering Game 3 with a season-long ERA of 2.60 and a WHIP of 1.12 — among the best marks in baseball.
Milwaukee’s relief depth gives them flexibility. Abner Uribe has been the breakout arm this postseason, showing electric stuff late in games. Trevor Megill and Jared Koenig have also delivered clean innings, helping Milwaukee limit Los Angeles’ power. Their ability to bridge games from the starter to Uribe has been a huge difference-maker in the first two contests. That depth will once again be key if the Brewers’ Game 3 starter, who remains listed as TBD, can’t work deep into the game.
On offense, Milwaukee has done enough to stay ahead. William Contreras and Christian Yelich have carried the load, while Brice Turang and Willy Adames have each delivered clutch RBIs in key moments. The Brewers may not have the power depth of Los Angeles, but they’ve been disciplined, working counts and forcing the Dodgers’ pitchers into long innings. Milwaukee also enters with confidence, having won eight of the last ten meetings between the two clubs.
Key Matchups to Watch
One major factor will be how the Dodgers handle the Brewers’ bullpen depth. Milwaukee can roll out multiple arms that each present different looks, from Uribe’s high-velocity fastball to Koenig’s sweeping breaking ball from the left side. Los Angeles has hit lefties better than righties this season, which could influence when the Brewers use Koenig or Ashby.
Another matchup worth watching is how Milwaukee’s lineup approaches Los Angeles’ strikeout-heavy pitching staff. The Dodgers ranked among the league leaders in strikeouts per nine innings, and they’ve leaned on that approach in October. However, the Brewers have one of the lowest chase rates in baseball, which could lead to longer at-bats and more pressure on the Dodgers’ bullpen as the game wears on.
Betting Trends
Recent trends favor Milwaukee in this matchup. The Brewers are 8-2 in their last ten games against the Dodgers, and the under has gone 6-4 over that span. Milwaukee is also 5-1 in its last six playoff games when listed as an underdog. Los Angeles, meanwhile, has struggled to cover the run line in October, going just 2-6 ATS in its last eight postseason contests.
The total of 7.5 runs looks high given both teams’ pitching strength. The under has hit in four of Los Angeles’ last five home games, and both bullpens have been sharp. If either team scores early, though, momentum could swing fast — especially given Los Angeles’ offensive firepower at home.
Betting Prediction
Los Angeles will have the crowd and momentum on its side in Game 3, but Milwaukee’s pitching depth has been the story of this series. If the Dodgers’ bats remain quiet through the early innings, they could again struggle to cover a large run line. However, with their backs against the wall and a strong home record, this is the kind of spot where Los Angeles tends to respond.
Expect another close, low-scoring battle early before Los Angeles breaks through late against the middle of Milwaukee’s bullpen. The Brewers’ pitching keeps them competitive, but the Dodgers’ offense finally shows signs of life back home at Chavez Ravine.
Pick: Dodgers -1.5 (+115)
Predicted Score: Dodgers 4, Brewers 2
