The Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers will continue their National League Championship Series on Monday night in LA. The best of seven series is tied at one game a piece after the two teams split the first two games in Milwaukee. The Dodgers are looking to advance to the World Series for the second straight season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers made it into the 2018 playoffs by winning the National League West Division in game 163. The Dodgers then beat the Atlanta Braves in four games to advance to the NLCS for the third straight season. The Milwaukee Brewers won the National League Central Division this season, and then swept the Colorado Rockies in the National League Division Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers are -165 over the Brewers in game three of the NLCS.
Buehler Starting For Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers will start young Walker Buehler in this game. Buehler posted an 8-5 record and a 2.62 earned run average during the 2018 regular season, but struggled in his first playoff start. He gave up five earned runs in five innings pitched against the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS. Expect the Dodgers and manager Dave Roberts to have Buehler on a short leash if he starts to get into trouble in this game.
Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado has been leading the offense so far this postseason. Machado has blasted three home runs and has driven in a whopping nine runs during these playoffs. The Dodgers have already drawn 32 walks this postseason, with slugger Max Muncy reaching base eight times by way of a walk. The Dodgers offense looks to stay hot as they return home for the next three games.
Cain, Yelich Need to Produce
Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich led the Brewers offense during the regular season, but both players have struggled so far this postseason. Christian Yelich hit a two-run home run in his first postseason at-bat in the NLDS but has recorded just two hits since that time. Lorenzo Cain is hitting just .238 (5-21) and has yet to drive in a run for Milwaukee so far in these playoffs. The Brewers will need these two players to produce if they are going to take a 2-1 series lead.
The Milwaukee Brewers will have their ace, Jhoulys Chacin, on the mound for them in this game. Chacin went 15-8 with a 3.50 earned run average through 35 starts during the regular season. He pitched five scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies in his first postseason start but did not factor into the decision. Chacin will face a tough Dodgers lineup in this game.
Dodgers Take 2-1 Series Lead
The first two games of this series have been highly competitive and entertaining, and this game should be much of the same. The Brewers need Cain and Yelich to step up on offense if they are going to take a series lead. Milwaukee should get a solid start from Chacin in this game, but he won’t be able to pitch another shutout.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been in this spot before, and they look like the team to beat in the National League. Walker Buehler has had a terrific 2018 season and it will continue in this game. Look for the Dodgers to find a way to beat the Brewers in this game and take a 2-1 series lead. Bet the Los Angeles Dodgers -165 over the Brewers on Monday night.
