NLCS Preview: Dodgers Look to Go Up 2-0 in the Series with Yamamoto on the Mound

MILWAUKEE, WI—The 2025 National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers continues tonight with Game Two of the best-of-seven series.

The Dodgers, who only managed to score two runs in the game, held on dramatically, getting a ninth-inning strikeout with the bases loaded, stranding the tying and winning runs on the bases.

It was a masterclass performance by left-handed ace Blake Snell, who tossed eight shutout innings, striking out ten batters while also facing the minimum. The Dodgers bullpen turned to Sasaki, who had been electric this October, but the rookie right-hander could only muster two outs and allowed his first run of the postseason.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts turned to veteran right-hander Blake Treinen to get one more out, and despite a walk to Brewers catcher William Contreras, he was able to shut it down in the ninth inning.

Now, the Dodgers lead the series one game to none, and they’ll send season ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound looking to send the series back to Los Angeles up 2-0.

Meanwhile, the Brewers, winners of the National League Division Series over their National League Central rival, the Chicago Cubs, look to even the series, and they’ll have a good shot at sending their own ace, Freddy Peralta.

Pitching Probables

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-1, 2.53 ERA) vs Freddy Peralta (1-1, 4.66 ERA)

The Dodgers look to go up two games to none in the best-of-seven NLCS, and they’ll have another ace taking the ball in Game Two with right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto looking to rebound from his last start.

Yamamoto looks to continue his postseason career dominance and give the Dodgers a much better start this time, as the right-hander was hit around in Game Three of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium last week.

Yamamoto will be making his first start this postseason on the road, but that may not be a bad thing. During the regular season, he posted the lowest ERA among all qualified starting pitchers on the road at 2.13, ahead of likely National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes.

Still, Yamamoto’s history at American Family Field is shaky, with his lone start this season being the worst of the year, where he was only able to get two outs while allowing five runs (three earned) in the Dodgers ’ lopsided loss.

On the mound for the Brew Crew will be their traditional starting rotation option in Freddy Peralta, who, like Yamamoto, is looking to rebound from his last postseason start as the right-hander allowed three runs in four innings pitched, allowing the Cubs to force a Game Five in the NLDS.

Peralta is the lone starting pitching option on the Brewers’ pitching staff, and with the Dodgers last night getting looks at six of their bullpen arms yesterday, Brewers manager Pat Murphy would likely like some length from his starter, likely putting some pressure on him.

Overall, in his career, he’s pitched the Dodgers well, going 4-2 with a 3.29 ERA in eight appearances.

Who to Watch

Despite the Dodgers only scoring two runs, their at-bats were a lot better than the score column indicated.

However, with a right-hander on the mound, I’m expecting a big series by the left-handed hitters and one man looking to change his fate after yesterday’s 8-6-2 400ft flyout double play is third baseman Max Muncy.

In his career, Muncy is 2-for-8 against Peralta with two extra-base hits, but the veteran third baseman has a knack for coming up big in October.

Where to Watch

The 2025 National League Championship Series will be aired exclusively on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max at 5:08 PM PT (8:08 PM ET)

Betting Odds

The Dodgers are the favorite at -129, while the Brewers, the underdogs, have +109 odds to cause an upset. Los Angeles, with a -1.5 run line, is favored to win. The game features a total of 7.5 runs.

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