MILWAUKEE — The Brewers have built their reputation on proving people wrong. The Dodgers have built theirs on being exactly who everyone expects them to be.
Upon winning National League Championship Series Game 1 on Monday night, the Dodgers gave themselves a chance to strengthen their control of this best-of-seven series with two consecutive victories on the road. The Brewers intend to deny them that luxury on Tuesday in Game 2, which will pit All-Star pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Freddy Peralta against each other.
“To get the first one, and you turn it over to Yoshi … we’re obviously feeling pretty good,” Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “Hopefully, we can score some more runs.”
The game will give the winner clear momentum heading into Los Angeles later this week.
“It’s the same thing as every game,” Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz said. “You take the next game and … be ready from the first inning all the way through nine.”
Here’s everything you need to know for Game 2:
When is the game and how can I watch it?
Game 2 of the NLCS will be played at American Family Field, with a first pitch scheduled for 8:08 p.m. ET/7:08 p.m. CT/5:08 p.m. PT on Tuesday.
All series are available in the US on MLB.TV with authentication to a participating Pay TV provider. Games also are available live internationally, although not in Canada. Sportsnet is MLB’s exclusive English language broadcaster in Canada for every Postseason game, while TVA Sports will be covering the entire AL Postseason and the World Series in French and Broadcaster RDS will cover the entire NL Postseason in French.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Dodgers: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (12-8, 2.49 ERA)
During the NL Division Series, Yamamoto was the only Dodgers starter who did not record a quality start. He allowed three runs to the Phillies in four-plus innings, one turn after allowing two unearned runs against the Reds across 6 2/3 innings in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series. With refreshed locks, Yamamoto is ready to turn the page from his previous start. Yamamoto emerged as the Dodgers’ ace during the regular season and was the only member of the rotation who did not miss a start due to injury. In his lone outing against the Brewers this season, Yamamoto gave up five runs (three earned) in two-thirds of an inning, the shortest start of his MLB career.
Brewers: Freddy Peralta (17-6, 2.70 ERA)
Injured Brewers ace Brandon Woodruff said it during the NLDS against the Cubs, and it’s even more true now: Milwaukee’s path to going all the way means winning as often as possible when Peralta is on the mound. With Quinn Priester working behind an opener in Game 1 and Jose Quintana still building his pitch count coming off a calf injury, Peralta is the Brewers’ only fully-established starter in this best-of-seven series. He was 1-1 with a 4.66 ERA in his two NLDS starts against the Cubs, a 9-3 Brewers victory in Game 1 at home and a 6-0 Brewers loss in Game 4 on the road. He’s 4-2 with a 3.29 ERA in eight career starts against the Dodgers, including 2-0 with a 3.27 ERA in a pair of starts this season.
What might the starting lineups look like?
Dodgers: With Peralta on the mound for the Brewers, the Dodgers are expected to make a few tweaks from Game 1. Freeman and Teoscar Hernández likely will be flipped, and the switch-hitting Tommy Edman — who’s better from the right-hand side — likely would move down in the order.
Brewers: The Brewers have faced left-handed starters in five of their first six games of this postseason against the Cubs and Dodgers, but their NLDS Game 3 matchup against Chicago’s Jameson Taillon could offer a guide against Yamamoto. Here’s the way they lined up that night:
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Dodgers: While the team is hopeful that Roki Sasaki can eventually pitch on back-to-back days, the rookie likely will be unavailable in Game 2 after throwing 22 pitches on Monday. Blake Treinen was the only other relief arm used in Game 1, so the bullpen should be relatively fresh. Alex Vesia and Emmet Sheehan likely would be manager Dave Roberts’ top choices in high leverage.
Brewers: The Brewers rolled out their leverage arms for a bullpen game in Game 1, so the Dodgers got a refresher on Aaron Ashby (19 pitches), Chad Patrick (19 pitches), Jared Koenig (18 pitches), Trevor Megill (21 pitches) and Abner Uribe (24 pitches) just two days after Ashby, Patrick, Megill and Uribe pitched in Game 5 against the Cubs. If Peralta can pitch deep into the game, it would give some of those arms multiple games off before the L.A. section of the series.
Any injuries of note?
Dodgers: Smith, who is dealing with a hairline fracture in his right hand, returned to the starting lineup during the NLDS and should be able to start behind the plate going forward. Edman will have to continue to manage his right ankle, which landed him on the IL twice earlier this year. Reliever Tanner Scott, who struggled in leverage in the regular season, is ineligible for the NLCS after being removed from the NLDS roster due to an injury but could return if the Dodgers advance.
Brewers: Woodruff was left off the NLCS roster, but that was expected since he has yet to resume throwing since suffering a right lat injury in late September. Chourio started again and played all nine innings, which he has mostly done since tweaking his hamstring in NLDS Game 1.
Who is hot and who is not?
Dodgers: Freeman and Smith strung together two-hit performances in Game 1, an encouraging sign after both scuffled during the NLDS. “October Kiké” also stayed hot with a pair of knocks, raising his batting average this postseason to .346.
Meanwhile, Ohtani is 1-for-20 since the beginning of the NLDS, although he drew three walks on Monday. Pages is 1-for-27 (.037) this postseason.
Brewers: The Brewers hoped that Turang’s late home run in Game 5 of the NLDS would get him going, but he was 0-for-4 in Game 1 against the Dodgers and is 3-for-24 in this postseason. He wasn’t alone, as the Brewers tallied only two hits against the Dodgers.
Anything else fans might want to know?
In postseason history, teams winning Game 1 in any best-of-seven series have gone on to take that series 126 of 194 times (64.9%). In series with the current 2-3-2 format, teams winning Game 1 on the road have gone on to take that series 40 of 71 times (56.3%).
