Brewers vs. Dodgers 2026 NLCS: Predictions, schedule and matchup preview

Just two teams remain in the National League, and the National League Championship Series is a rematch from last year, with the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers clashing in a best-of-seven battle for the NL pennant.

The Dodgers swept the Brewers in the 2025 NLCS, allowing just four runs before winning the World Series in seven games against Toronto. The Dodgers are trying to become the third franchise to win three straight World Series titles, while the Brewers are searching for their first World Series championship and first National League pennant. Milwaukee has made the World Series just once in franchise history, back in 1982 when the team was still in the American League.

With SeatGeek serving as the Official Ticket Marketplace of MLB, we’ve followed the Brewers and Dodgers closely all year long. Ahead of Game 1 of the 2026 NLCS on Sunday, Oct. 11, in Milwaukee, we’re breaking down the matchup and sharing which team we think will represent the Senior Circuit in this year’s World Series.

2026 National League Championship Series schedule

The Brewers have home-field advantage in the best-of-seven series, hosting Games 1 and 2 at American Family Field, along with Games 6 and 7 if necessary. The Dodgers will host Games 3 and 4 at Dodger Stadium, plus Game 5 if needed.

2026 NLCS predictions: Who will win the Brewers vs. Dodgers series?

The NLCS features not just a rematch of last year’s series, but a battle between the two best teams in the National League this year — and the two best teams in baseball by regular-season record. Milwaukee (103 wins) and Los Angeles (100 wins) were baseball’s only two 100-win teams this year, and their seven regular-season matchups were incredibly close.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers: NLCS matchup preview

Who doesn’t love a good rematch? You’ve got the Dodgers looking for their third straight World Series title against a Brewers team that, despite winning more games than Los Angeles last year and this year, will be viewed as the David to L.A.’s Goliath in the NLCS.

The Brewers are used to that sort of thing. Milwaukee ranks 19th out of 30 teams in payroll for 2026, while the Dodgers spent the second-most of any team in baseball. Milwaukee’s roster is almost entirely homegrown or made up of players acquired through trades when they were younger players or prospects, while the Dodgers acquire superstars like Thanos collects Infinity Stones.

It’s the classic big-market vs. small-market matchup that makes for such compelling storylines in sports. Last year, though, the "little guy" got squashed. The Dodgers made quick work of the Brewers in the 2025 NLCS, sweeping them in four games while allowing just four runs. Will this year be different?

Milwaukee and Los Angeles each enjoyed first-round byes and won their respective NLDS matchups in four games — the Brewers beat the Padres, while the Dodgers beat the Braves.

These teams will battle in a best-of-seven NLCS after squaring off seven times during the regular season. The Brewers had the upper hand, winning four of those seven games. Milwaukee tied Tampa Bay for the best home record in baseball at 55-26, but the Dodgers took two of three in Milwaukee, while the Brewers won three of four in Los Angeles. The Dodgers held a slight 27-25 scoring advantage across those seven games.

Brewers vs. Dodgers: Comparing regular-season stats and team strengths

These are two well-balanced teams that do a lot of things similarly. Milwaukee ranked second in runs scored and team ERA, while the Dodgers ranked fourth in ERA and fifth in runs scored.

But the Brewers aren’t a huge home run team, ranking 28th in long balls this year. The Dodgers ranked seventh. Milwaukee drew the second-most walks and stole the fifth-most bases, while Los Angeles ranked third in walks and just 28th in stolen bases.

The Dodgers issued the fourth-fewest walks in MLB this year, while the Brewers ranked 11th. L.A. was fourth in strikeouts recorded, and Milwaukee ranked second.

Like I said, these teams are very, very good.

Dodgers NLCS strengths: Star power, starting pitching and lineup depth

The Dodgers get by with star power, and they have a lot of it. On the mound, the rotation features four Cy Young Awards between Tarik Skubal — the presumptive Game 1 starter — and Blake Snell, as well as a World Series MVP in Yoshinobu Yamamoto and another All-Star-caliber arm in Tyler Glasnow.

The bullpen was stellar in the NLDS behind Edwin Díaz and Co. The lineup is loaded with MVPs and other stars, whether it’s Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith or Kyle Tucker. The Dodgers have no shortage of ways to put pressure on opposing teams.

Brewers NLCS strengths: Jacob Misiorowski, bullpen depth and aggressive baserunning

The Brewers get things done in a more old-school way when it comes to putting pressure on opponents. They pitch incredibly well, led by presumptive Cy Young winner and Game 1 starter Jacob Misiorowski, and their bullpen is exceptional.

While it may not be "old school" to have your relievers pitch 19 innings over four games, as Milwaukee did in the NLDS, when that unit allows just one run over that span, it clearly works.

The Brewers’ lineup makes a lot of contact, steals bases, takes extra bags on the basepaths and has more power than it did last year. Jackson Chourio and Jake Bauers have each had great seasons and can change a game — or an entire series — with one swing. Chourio also hit a home run and delivered a walk-off in the NLDS.

I think this Brewers team is better than it was last year, which is notable given how thoroughly Milwaukee was dominated in the NLCS. Chourio and Bauers, in particular, provide a major boost to the lineup, while Brice Turang and William Contreras are big bats who can do plenty of heavy lifting as well.

I also think Milwaukee and manager Pat Murphy learned a lot from last year’s NLCS faceplant.

Brewers vs. Dodgers NLCS prediction: Why Los Angeles has the edge

Well, anyway, I’ve got to pick one of these teams, right?

As far as my rationale goes, I’ll say this: When I think of playoff baseball, I think of three things — starting pitching, bullpens and home runs.

The Dodgers have the better and deeper rotation of the two teams, and Skubal and Yamamoto are more than capable of matching up with Misiorowski. The Brewers’ bullpen is dynamite, but it’s been used a ton, both in the NLDS and throughout the regular season. And the Dodgers’ bullpen is hardly a slouch.

But when it comes to home runs, Los Angeles has a clear edge.

Now, the Brewers scored more runs than the Dodgers this season. They obviously have the lineup talent to score, but will that translate to a best-of-seven series? I’m not so sure.

You have to be able to slug to win postseason series against teams like the Dodgers. And if Milwaukee falls behind, can the Brewers create enough pressure consistently to climb back into games against such an elite and deep pitching staff?

It’s worth noting that in addition to scoring just four runs — one in each game — in last year’s NLCS, the Brewers managed only one hit with runners in scoring position.

If Chourio and Bauers start mashing home runs and extra-base hits, that will go a long way. But I don’t think the Brewers’ style of play will translate well enough over a best-of-seven series against a Dodgers team that’s deep and has better all-around talent.

It may be boring to say, but this feels like another series win for the reigning champions. I think the Brewers will be more competitive this time around, but I’m not sure that will be enough for their first pennant in over 40 years.

Prediction: Dodgers win the NLCS in six games.