Dodgers vs. Brewers MLB Betting Odds, Picks: Skubal vs. Misiorowski in Game 1 of NLCS
The Dodgers and Brewers meet Sunday in Game 1 of the NLCS with plenty of recent playoff history between them.
Milwaukee has reached this round three times since 2018, losing to Los Angeles in seven games that year and getting swept by the Dodgers last season. The Brewers also lost to Los Angeles in the 2020 postseason.
This version of Milwaukee looks deeper, though, especially on the mound. Los Angeles is chasing a third straight World Series title and has now reached the NLCS in five of the last seven seasons.
Game 1 is a pick’em on the MLB odds, with the total set at 6.0.
MLB Betting Odds and Trends
Tarik Skubal gets the ball for Los Angeles after allowing one run over six innings with seven strikeouts in Game 1 against Atlanta. Milwaukee counters with Jacob Misiorowski, who allowed two runs over four innings with six strikeouts in his postseason start against San Diego.
The Brewers bullpen was outstanding against the Padres, allowing only one run over 19 innings with a 1.00 WHIP.
The Dodgers are -165 series favourites on the MLB futures board, while Milwaukee is a +140 underdog.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles advanced because its depth carried the offence when several stars were quiet.
Shohei Ohtani was relatively subdued, Mookie Betts did not record an extra-base hit, yet Max Muncy homered three times and Enrique Hernandez once again delivered in October.
Hernandez hit a two-run homer off Chris Sale in Game 3 after Dave Roberts shuffled the lineup, while Andy Pages delivered the decisive two-run single in Game 4.
The Dodgers also received a key late walk from 21-year-old Josue De Paula
Milwaukee Brewers
Misiorowski finished the season with a 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts, and now carries a 2.25 postseason ERA into this series. He was even better at home this year with a 1.52 ERA.
Los Angeles hitters are just 9-for-58 lifetime against him with 23 strikeouts.
Jackson Chourio has also become Milwaukee’s most dangerous postseason bat. In just 16 career playoff games, he already owns franchise records with 17 postseason RBIs and five home runs.
The Brewers may not have Los Angeles’ home-run power, but their bullpen, contact ability and home-field advantage give them a real path to winning tight games.
MLB Prediction: Who Will Win Dodgers vs. Brewers?
Skubal owned a 1.70 road ERA this season, while Milwaukee hitters are just 19-for-91 lifetime against him with a .506 OPS. Misiorowski has been equally difficult for Los Angeles.
The Dodgers have the deeper overall lineup, but Milwaukee owns the better bullpen profile entering this series, and that could decide a game after both starters dominate.
I’ll take the Under and back Chourio to deliver another late postseason moment.
Best bet: Under 6.0 total runs (-111)
LAD
MIL