Get ready for a showdown that’s as unexpected as it is thrilling: the reigning World Series champions, the star-studded Dodgers, are squaring off against the Brewers, a team that dominated them in nine games this July. But here’s where it gets controversial—can the Brewers, who haven’t reached the World Series since 1982, truly dethrone the defending champs? Let’s dive into everything you need to know about NLCS Game 1, presented by loanDepot, airing Monday at 8 p.m. ET on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max.
The Brewers are chasing history, aiming to return to the World Series for just the second time in franchise history. Manager Pat Murphy couldn’t hide his pride during Milwaukee’s celebration: ‘A lot of people didn’t believe in them early on, but they’ve stayed relentless. I’m lucky to be around these guys.’ And this is the part most people miss—Murphy calls them ‘above-average Joes,’ a nod to their underdog spirit that’s carried them this far. But will it be enough against the powerhouse Dodgers?
Game 1 Details: The action kicks off Monday at American Family Field, with the first pitch at 7:08 p.m. CT (5:08 p.m. PT). Catch it live on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max. For U.S. viewers, all series are available on MLB.TV with a Pay TV provider. International fans, take note: games are available globally (except Canada, where Sportsnet and TVA Sports have exclusive rights).
Starting Pitchers: The Dodgers’ Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, is back after a four-month hiatus due to a shoulder injury. His postseason stats? A solid 6-3 record with a 2.92 ERA. For the Brewers, it’s a bullpen-heavy strategy. Quinn Priester is likely to start Game 1, with Freddy Peralta confirmed for Game 2. But here’s the twist—can their pitching depth hold up in a best-of-seven series?
Lineups to Watch: The Dodgers’ top four—Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Teoscar Hernández—are locked in. But Ohtani’s recent slump (1-for-18 in the NLDS) raises questions. Meanwhile, the Brewers’ lineup against lefties includes Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich, who’ll need to step up against Snell. And this is the part most people miss—Chourio’s health could be a game-changer after his hamstring injury.
Bullpen Battles: The Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki is their go-to closer, but can he handle back-to-back games? The Brewers’ Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill are ready, but their bullpen depth will be tested. Lefties Jared Koenig and Aaron Ashby will be key against L.A.’s left-handed hitters. But here’s where it gets controversial—can Milwaukee’s young arms like Jacob Misiorowski and Chad Patrick handle the pressure?
Injury Updates: Dodgers’ Will Smith is back despite a hairline fracture in his hand, but Tommy Edman’s ankle remains a concern. For the Brewers, Brandon Woodruff is out for the NLCS, and Chourio’s hamstring is still a question mark. But the bigger question—will these injuries derail either team’s momentum?
Who’s Hot, Who’s Not: Mookie Betts is on fire (10-for-26 in the postseason), but Ohtani and Andy Pages are struggling. For the Brewers, William Contreras is crushing it (.300/.333/.650 in the NLDS), while Brice Turang is looking to break out of his slump. But here’s the real question—can the Brewers’ bats outpace the Dodgers’ stars?
Historical Context: This isn’t the first time these teams have clashed in the postseason. The Dodgers swept the Brewers in the 2020 NL Wild Card Series and outlasted them in a seven-game 2018 NLCS. But the Brewers have a score to settle. And this is the part most people miss—the Dodgers are chasing a back-to-back World Series win, a feat not seen since the Yankees’ 1998-2000 dynasty.
Final Thoughts: This series is loaded with storylines—underdogs vs. champions, history vs. redemption, and injuries vs. resilience. But here’s where it gets controversial—can the Brewers’ grit overcome the Dodgers’ star power? What do you think? Will Milwaukee pull off the upset, or will L.A. march toward another title? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
