Brewers vs. Dodgers: 2025 NLCS Preview Highlights Odds, Injuries and Game‑7 Stakes

When Matt Snyder, Senior MLB Editor at CBS Sports broke down the upcoming 2025 National League Championship SeriesAmerican Family Field, the spotlight fell on two very different clubs. The Milwaukee Brewers entered the best‑of‑seven with a bruised bullpen but a hopeful ace return, while the Los Angeles Dodgers rolled in with a lineup that Snyder called "really, really deep" and a rotation that still looks like the league’s best. Here's why the series matters, how the pieces fit, and what fans can expect as the two clubs battle for a World Series ticket.

Background to the 2025 NLCS

Both clubs clinched their division crowns in early September. The Brewers, fresh off a gritty NLDS win that saw their starter swing the momentum in Game 4, earned home‑field advantage by posting the league’s second‑best record at 95‑67. The Dodgers, after dispatching the Philadelphia Phillies in a four‑game NLDS, brought a seasoned core that has been together since the 2021 championship run.

Historically, the NLCS has been a proving ground for future Hall‑of‑Fame moments. In 2022 the Dodgers used a seven‑game duel to cement their status as a dynasty, while the 2018 Brewers fell short after a heartbreaking Game 6 loss. This year, a first‑ever World Series appearance hangs in the balance for Milwaukee.

Key Strengths and Weaknesses of Both Teams

The Dodgers’ batting order reads like a who’s‑who of modern baseball: Shohei Ohtani (DH/ pitcher, age 31), Freddie Freeman (first base, 35), Mookie Betts (outfield, 32), Teoscar Hernández (outfield, 32), Max Muncy (utility, 34) and catcher Will Smith (30), who just returned from a hand injury. Snyder noted that "the Dodgers again have the better rotation and the better lineup," a sentiment echoed by most analysts.

Milwaukee counters with a bullpen anchored by closer Brandon Woodruff. At 32, Woodruff missed the tail end of the regular season with a shoulder strain, but his projected return could turn the Brewers’ relief corps from a liability into a strength. Aside from Woodruff, the Brewers lean on veteran starter Corbin Burnes and a deep mix of left‑handed arms that have kept opponents guessing all season.

Both clubs have a glaring weakness: the Brewers lack a true power bat in the middle of the order, while the Dodgers’ ace, Clayton Kershaw, will be 42 and showing the wear of a decade‑long career. How each team compensates for those gaps will shape the series.

Pitching Matchups and Bullpen Considerations

Game 1 is likely to feature Burnes on the mound for Milwaukee against the Dodgers’ opening starter, Gerrit Cole. Burnes’ strikeout rate (12.1 K/9) matches well against a Dodgers lineup that has a .282 on‑base percentage this season. If Woodruff is cleared for Game 4 or 5, the Brewers could run a two‑starter‑plus‑reliever approach that shortens the rotation fatigue that plagued them in 2020.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, might lean on Tyler Glasnow in Game 2, saving Kershaw for a potential Game 6 or 7. Glasnow’s 4.45 ERA in the regular season belies his 96 mph fastball, which could be the difference in a tight Game 2 at Dodger Stadium.

Will Smith’s return behind the plate also matters. A defensive catcher's ability to frame pitches can shave off tenths of a run—something the Brewers’ bullpen will need if Woodruff’s arm is still shaking off rust.

Predictions, Betting Odds and What Fans Can Expect

• Current betting lines (as of October 12, 2025) favor the Dodgers by 1.5 runs.
• Analysts give the series a 55% win probability to Los Angeles, 45% to Milwaukee.
• Key prop: Woodruff to pitch in Game 4 – odds at +250.
• Game‑by‑game outlook: Dodgers take Games 1‑2; Brewers bounce back with wins in Games 3‑4; Dodgers lead 3‑2 after Game 5; Brewers force a Game 7 at home.

From a fan’s perspective, the atmosphere at American Family Field is expected to be electric. The stadium’s "Fan Deck" area will be stocked with brews from local breweries—a nod to Milwaukee’s nickname "Brew City." Meanwhile, Dodger Stadium’s iconic "Think Blue" promotion will see blue‑themed merchandise rain down during the first two games.

Historical Context and What a Brewers Win Means

The Brewers have never reached the World Series. Their deepest playoff run was in 1982, when they lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals. A victory in this NLCS would not only break a 43‑year drought but also shift the balance of power in the National League Central, which has been dominated by the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals over the past two decades.

For the Dodgers, a win would be a stepping stone toward a third championship in five years, cementing their status as the modern era’s most consistent franchise. It would also give manager Dave Roberts his first NLCS victory as a manager, a milestone after five playoff appearances.

Regardless of the outcome, the series showcases baseball’s evolving narrative: a blend of veteran leadership, youthful power, and injuries that can flip a season in a heartbeat.

What’s Next After the NLCS?

The winner earns a berth in the 2025 World Series, slated to begin on October 25 at the designated AL champion’s home park. If the Brewers pull off the upset, they’ll become the first team from Wisconsin to ever appear in a World Series, a storyline that could boost regional ratings and merchandise sales across the Midwest.

On the other hand, a Dodgers victory would set up a rematch against the Houston Astros, who are projected to win the ALCS. Baseball purists will likely compare the upcoming showdown to the 2017 World Series, where the Dodgers fell short after a dramatic Game 7 loss.