The 2026 National League Championship Series is set, pitting the NL's top two teams against each other. The Los Angeles Dodgers advanced with a win over the Atlanta Braves, and the Milwaukee Brewers knocked out the San Diego Padres to set up a rematch of last year's NLCS.
This matchup is a year in the making. The Dodgers' core of stars slowed somewhat, while the Brewers' young foundation came together to become baseball's best team. During the Dodgers' four-game sweep in the 2025 NLCS, Milwaukee scored just four total runs. Runs will be hard to come by for both teams, but the Brewers need to reach four runs at least four times to send the Dodgers packing.
Milwaukee is seeking its first World Series appearance since 1982. Both previous NLCS meetings with the Dodgers ended in Los Angeles' favor, taking seven games in 2018 and just four in 2025. On paper, the Brewers look like a near-even match against the two-time champions, but as ESPN's analysis notes, pennants aren't won on paper.
The Brewers' defense was shaky against San Diego, committing three errors in the NL Division Series. Giving the Dodgers extra outs is a clear path to defeat, so Milwaukee will need Jacob Misiorowski at the top of his game and pitching deeper than four innings. The bullpen, with its deep group of left-handers, will be key against Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker and Max Muncy. Misiorowski is set to start Game 1 after seven days of rest.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing