NLCS Preview: Dodgers Seeking First Win vs Brewers this Season in NLCS Game One

MILWAUKEE, WI—It’s Game One of the 2025 National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers, with a date in the Fall Classic on the line.

It’s the first time these two clubs have met in the postseason since the COVID-19 shortened season in 2020, where the Dodgers swept the Brew Crew in the Wild Card Series to kick off their eventual World Series run.

However, it’s the second time each team has met in the NLCS, with their last meeting coming during the 2018 season, where the Dodgers came out victorious in seven games and former Dodgers first baseman Cody Belling won NLCS MVP.

A lot has changed between now and then, but what has remained the same is the track record of both teams, winning their division and making the postseason essentially every year since that meeting.

The Dodgers look to continue being road warriors after taking both games on the road in Philadelphia, and they’ll have a great shot at that with lefty Blake Snell on the mound.

The Brewers will be going with an opener, as they’ll lean heavily on their bullpen throughout this series.

Pitching Probables

Blake Snell (LHP) (2-0, 1.38 ERA) vs TBD (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

The Dodgers will turn the ball over to Blake Snell for Game One of the NLCS, his second Game One start this postseason, with his first coming during the National League Wild Card Series.

Snell has been elite this October, adding to his already historic postseason legacy, and he’ll look to continue that hot streak into Milwaukee.

Overall in two starts so far, Snell is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA and is coming off a dominant Game Two start in the NLDS, where the lefty only surrendered one hit in six scoreless frames.

Still didn’t face the Brewers this season as the lefty was on the 60-day injured list from April until August, but in his career, he’s posted a 1-2 record with an ERA over five. However, in his most recent outing last season, Snell tossed five innings and allowed just one run, picking up the win.

Who to Watch

After going 1-for-18 in the National League Division Series, I’m expecting three-time MVP (soon to be four-time) two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani to step up big not only in this series but in Game One.

The Brewers plan to use an opener in the series, with either Jose Quintana or Quinn Priester handling most of the innings. Unlike Philly, the Brew Crew lacks a dominant left-handed pitcher, which should favor Ohtani. Shohei Ohtani has a batting average of .270, with 17 hits, 7 home runs, 12 RBIs, and 11 runs scored in 16 career games against the Brewers.

As for Milwaukee, not many hitters in their lineup have faced left-hander Blake Snell, and the ones who have didn’t have the best success, but if the Brewers are to be successful, they’ll need young outfielder Jackson Chourio to play like the All-Star player he’s capable of being at the top of the Brewers lineup. 

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 NLCS starts Monday with the Los Angeles Dodgers facing the Milwaukee Brewers. The game kicks off at 8:08 p.m. ET at American Family Field and is available on truTV, TBS, and HBO Max. The Brewers are +128 underdogs on the moneyline, while the Dodgers are -154 favorites. Los Angeles also leads on the run line with a -1.5 spread. The total runs predicted for the game is 7.5.

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