NLCS Preview: Game 3 Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers

Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers

Time: 4:39 PM PT

Venue: Dodger Stadium

Series Tied 1-1

How are the Dodgers Doing?

After falling short in Game 1, the Dodgers bounced back to take Game 2 in Milwaukee. They trailed 3-0 through six innings, before scoring two runs in each of the seventh and eighth innings. Justin Turner provided the big hit for Los Angeles, launching a two-run home run off of Milwaukee reliever, Jeremy Jeffries.

Why is this Game Important?

Defeating Milwaukee in their home field, not only gives the Dodgers an extra boost as they head back home, but it also slows the Brewers’ momentum. Prior to Game 2, Milwaukee had trailed for only one inning the entire playoffs. They had won 12 straight games, the most consecutive wins for the franchise since 1987.

The caveat for the Dodgers was that they defeated the Brewers without facing Josh Hader. Hader shut down Los Angeles in Game 1, throwing three shutout innings. He will receive two days of rest as the series heads to Los Angeles.

Pitching Matchup

Walker Buehler (0-0. 9.00 ERA) vs. Jhoulys Chacin(1-0, 0.00 ERA)*2018 Playoff Stats

Walker Buehler made his postseason debut in Game 3 of the NLDS in Atlanta. His start did not go as plan, allowing five runs in five inning in the Dodgers’ loss to the Braves. His struggles in that start primarily came in the second inning, where he allows all five runs, including a grand slam surrendered to Ronald Acuña. Buehler lost his only start to the Brewers in the regular season, though pitched well, allowing just one run over seven innings.

Jhoulys Chacin also made his postseason debut in the NLDS, throwing five shutout innings for the Brewers in their Game 2 win over the Rockies. Chacin made one start at Dodger Stadium in 2018, allowing eight earned runs in 4.1 innings. The Dodgers went on to score 21 runs in that game, the most by the franchise in one game since 2001.

Matchup of the Day

Cody Bellinger vs Jhoulys Chacin

Cody Bellinger recorded his first hit of this year’s playoffs in Game 2 in Milwaukee. Although he has struggled in the postseason this year, he has hit Chacin well in his career, posting a .417 average with two home runs against the Brewers’ pitcher. In the Dodgers 21-run rout over Milwaukee earlier this year, Bellinger hit a grand slam off of Chacin.

Vegas Odds

FiveThirtyEight

Dodgers:61% chance of winning

Milwaukee:39% chance of winning

Fun Fact

Thirteen of the Dodgers players on the current NLCS roster played in the NLCS for Los Angeles last year against the Cubs.