MILWAUKEE — The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in a very unfamiliar position.
The National League Championship Series heads to Los Angeles with the Dodgers down 0-2 after the Milwaukee Brewers’ 7-4 win on Monday, Oct. 12. The two-time defending World Series champs haven’t been in an 0-2 hole in any series since they were swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2023 NLDS.
Game 3 is Wednesday, Oct. 14.
William Contreras homered and then singled in the go-ahead run in the sixth of a wild game that saw the Brewers once again stifle the Los Angeles offense while knocking out one of their aces. One day after handing Tarik Skubal the second postseason loss of his career, Milwaukee chased Yoshinobu Yamamoto with a 35-pitch third inning that included
a 12-pitch walk to Jake Bauers with two outs.
The Brewers, meanwhile, held the Dodgers to three hits. Four relievers – Dustin May, JoJo Romero, Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby – combined to retire the last 15 Dodgers in a row.
Bauers’ walk loaded the bases, and Christian Yelich followed with a two-run single to give Milwaukee a 3-2 lead and chase Yamamoto. The Dodgers regained the lead in the fifth thanks to a throwing error by Milwaukee starter Logan Henderson.
Henderson’s wild throw to first on Tommy Edman’s sac bunt allowed Kyle Tucker to score and Edman to reach and take second. Edman then scored on Freddie Freeman’s sac fly.
But Contreras homered in the fifth. It was his fifth home run of the postseason, tying him with Jackson Chourio for the franchise lead. In the sixth, David Hamilton was hit by Brock Stewart to start the inning. After getting Chourio on a groundout, the Dodgers made the decision to walk Brice Turang to get to Contreras.
Big mistake.
Contreras lined a shot to left field, scoring Hamilton to give the Brewers a 5-4 lead.
– Nancy Armour
NLCS Game 2: Dodgers vs. Brewers takeaways
This was just an ugly game all around from both teams. Mistakes and mishaps defined the day, but it was the Brewers who were able to make it up for it offensively – thanks in large part to William Contreras – and come away with a 2-0 lead, putting all the pressure on the Dodgers as the series shifts back to LA.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Game 2:
- The Dodgers manufactured runs this time, but it was mostly due to gaffes on the Brewers’ part such as Cooper Pratt’s mishandled grounder at shortstop followed by a spiked pickoff attempt by Logan Henderson in the third, or another throwing error by Henderson in the fifth. But once Henderson was out of the game, the Brewers bullpen once again shut the Dodger bats down.
- The middle of the Dodgers lineup is becoming a glaring issue. Ohtani did not look like himself at the plate down the final stretch of the regular season as his injuries started to pile up, and those struggles have now carried over to the postseason, where he’s hitting .150. The depth provided by the rest of the order was able to pick up the slack in the NLDS, but their inability to even put the ball in play against the Brewers relievers puts even more of a spotlight on Ohtani. Will Smith, batting from the five-spot on Monday, has been even worse with a .045 average and an appalling .132 OPS.
- William Contreras is him. The Brewers catcher has been on fire all postseason, and he had his finest moment with three hits including a game-tying home run and three RBIs. In the sixth, Dave Roberts inexplicably walked Brice Turang to face Contreras with one out in the inning (there actually was an explanation; a righty-righty matchup with Brock Stewart). The result was predictable: “Wild Bill” lined a base hit into left field to bring home the go-ahead run.
- A 2-0 deficit is not the end of the world in a seven-game series. The Dodgers have had flashes of momentum through the first two games, but they have to find some level of consistency in order to turn the tide back in this one. That onus will presumably fall onto Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow.
– Andres Soto
Dodgers vs Brewers live updates:
How have the Brewers fared with a 2-0 playoff series lead?
09:03 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jim ReinekingThis is the first time that the Brewers have ever had a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven playoff series.
However, the team has owned 2-0 leads in best-of-five series three times before. Here are those instances:
2026 NLDS: The Brewers won the first two games in Milwaukee against the San Diego Padres. When the series shifted to Petco Park, the Padres prevailed in Game 3 but the Brewers closed out the series in Game 4.
2018 NLDS: After winning the first two games in Milwaukee against the Colorado Rockies, the Brewers won Game 3, 6-0, in Denver to sweep the series.
2011 NLDS: The Brewers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first two games in Milwaukee. The Diamondbacks won two in Arizona before the series shifted back to Milwaukee for a decisive Game 5, which the Brewers won in extra innings for the team's first playoff series win since 1982.
The Brewers have never won a best-of-seven postseason series, losing the 1982 World Series, 2011 NLCS, 2018 NLCS and 2025 NLCS.
– Jim Reineking
Brewers add insurance in eighth
08:15 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovDavid Hamilton hit a leadoff single in the bottom of the eight, stole second, advanced on a groundout then scored on Brice Turang's RBI single against Henriquez to make it 6-4. Jake Bauers followed with his own RBI single and suddenly the Brewers' lead is 7-3.
The Brewers tack on a huge insurance run in the 8th! pic.twitter.com/icHB3vccJU
— MLB (@MLB) October 13, 2026
Another lead change! Brewers up 5-4
07:35 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovHeading into the seventh inning and the Brewers have a 5-4 lead, going back in front on William Contreras' RBI single that scored David Hamilton, who led off the inning being hit by a pitch. That's three RBIs for Contreras in the game.
William Contreras puts the Brewers in front!
— MLB (@MLB) October 12, 2026
He's got 3 RBI tonight 💪 pic.twitter.com/IHA682RpfR
Brewers strand bases loaded
07:15 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovAfter William Contreras' home run tied the game 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth, the Brewers loaded the bases with two outs on two singles and a walk. But Brock Stewart struck out Sal Frelick looking to end the threat and send this game to the sixth inning all tied up.
Sal Frelick strikes out to strand the bases loaded but we're all tied up heading into the 6th
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 12, 2026
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/jDQ3NWll9R
William Contreras home run ties it
07:04 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovWilliam Contreras clubbed a solo home run to center field against Kris Bubic in the bottom of the fifth, tying the game 4-4 immediately after the Dodgers had taken another lead. It's his fifth career postseason homer, tying teammate Jackson Chourio's franchise record.
WILLIAM CONTRERAS, TIE GAME 💥 pic.twitter.com/TGRX9LxhEU
— MLB (@MLB) October 12, 2026
Dodgers take 4-3 lead
06:55 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovAnother lead change in Milwaukee as the Dodgers score two runs in the top of the fifth inning to go back in front 4-3. After Kyle Tucker's leadoff double, Tommy Edman laid down a sacrifice bunt to get him to third – but Logan Henderson's throw to first went high and wide, allowing Tucker to score. It was the Brewers starter's second error of the game. Two batters later, Freddie Freeman hit a sacrifice fly to score Edman and restore LA's lead after review on a close play at the plate.
The Dodgers tie it in the 5th! pic.twitter.com/38r4GB9BHh
— MLB (@MLB) October 12, 2026
Brewers lead, Yamamoto out
06:21 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovMILWAUKEE — If the Brewers make the World Series, remember this third inning against Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The Brewers chased the Dodgers ace, who was 8-1 in the postseason including a win over Milwaukee in last year's NLCS, after making him throw 35 pitches in that one inning. That included 12 to Jake Bauers alone, who walked after a 12-pitch at-bat.
The Brewers have been winning with small ball all season, and this inning exemplified it. David Hamilton led off with a single, then stole second with Brice Turang batting. Turang wound up walking. After a William Contreras flyout, Bauers fouled off pitch after pitch after pitch. He got some help when the Dodgers defense biffed on two seemingly makeable defensive plays, unable to catch foul balls near the tarp in shallow left and in front of the camera wall just beyond third base.
After fouling off six pitches, Bauers took one for his fourth ball and the walk. That brought up Christian Yelich, who singled to center to bring in Hamilton and Turang and give Milwaukee a 3-2 lead. That was it for Yamamoto, who was relieved by Alex Vesia.
– Nancy Armour
CHRISTIAN YELICH COMES THROUGH!
— MLB (@MLB) October 12, 2026
BREWERS LEAD pic.twitter.com/eZ2VMwaYki
Dodgers go back in front
05:57 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovLos Angeles took a 2-1 lead in a chaotic top of the third, with Tommy Edman scoring the go-ahead run on a Logan Henderson pickoff that went awry. But Henderson got Teoscar Hernandez and Shohei Ohtani to stand Mookie Betts on second.
The @Dodgers take the lead in the 3rd inning! pic.twitter.com/gbE5vjFXeU
— MLB (@MLB) October 12, 2026
Brewers tie it up
05:34 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovMilwaukee responded immediately in the bottom of the first inning against Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Game 1 hero Brice Turang hit a one-out double and then scored on William Contreras' RBI single to make it 1-1.
Dodgers vs Brewers NLCS schedule
05:19 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse Yomtov- Game 1: Brewers 2, Dodgers 1 (in Milwaukee)
- Game 2: Monday, Oct. 12 – Dodgers at Brewers – 5 p.m. ET ... GET TICKETS
- Game 3: Wednesday, Oct. 14 – Brewers at Dodgers – 8 p.m. ET ... GET TICKETS
- Game 4: Thursday, Oct. 15 – Brewers at Dodgers – 9 p.m. ET ... GET TICKETS
- Game 5*: Friday, Oct. 16 – Brewers at Dodgers – 9 p.m. ET ... GET TICKETS
- Game 6*: Sunday, Oct. 18 – Dodgers at Brewers – 8 p.m. ET ... GET TICKETS
- Game 7*: Monday, Oct. 19 – Dodgers at Brewers – 8 p.m. ET ... GET TICKETS
Dodgers score without a hit
05:19 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovMookie Betts drew a walk to lead off the game, then advanced to second on a fielder's choice and to third on Logan Henderson's wild pitch. With one out, Teoscar Hernandez hit a sacrifice fly to center field, giving the Dodgers an early 1-0 lead.
Teoscar Hernández gets the job done and the @Dodgers take a 1st inning lead! pic.twitter.com/WVRxm0nDDz
— MLB (@MLB) October 12, 2026
Brewers Game 2 lineup
05:02 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse Yomtov- Jackson Chourio (R) LF
- Brice Turang (L) 2B
- William Contreras (R) C
- Jake Bauers (L) 1B
- Christian Yelich (L) DH
- Garrett Mitchell (L) CF
- Cooper Pratt (R) SS
- Sal Frelick (L) RF
- David Hamilton (L) 3B
Dodgers starting lineup today
05:02 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse Yomtov- Mookie Betts (R) SS
- Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
- Teoscar Hernández (R) LF
- Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
- Will Smith (R) C
- Max Muncy (L) 3B
- Andy Pages (R) CF
- Kyle Tucker (L) RF
- Tommy Edman (S) 2B
Dodgers vs Brewers NLCS predictions
05:01 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse Yomtov- Bob Nightengale: Brewers in 7
- Gabe Lacques: Brewers in 6
- Jesse Yomtov: Dodgers in 5
Who is 'Front Row Amy'?
04:17 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovAmy Williams spent her birthday where she has several times before, at her home away from home: the Milwaukee Brewers' ballpark.
You probably know her best as "Front Row Amy" − the scorekeeping, pitch-appreciating, fervent fan − a longtime fixture behind home plate. These days, she said, she likes to keep a lower profile.
In that birthday game Oct. 4 – Game 2 of the National League Division Series – Jackson Chourio, facing the last strike of the game, blew out the candles with a walk-off single that scored two. It'll go down as one of the greatest moments in Brewers postseason history.
"That was amazing. I kind of forgot it was my birthday because I was so focused on the game," the newly 58-year-old told the Journal Sentinel. "And, that game − I've never felt like that. That was crazy."
– Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Ohtani taking BP on the field
03:36 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovShohei Ohtani taking BP on the field for a second consecutive day pic.twitter.com/OYGT57yVyx
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 12, 2026
Dodgers-Brewers NLCS Game 1 highlights
02:43 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovWill Smith talks slump
02:24 PM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse Yomtov"I felt really good the last month, the last couple weeks, especially," Dodgers catcher Will Smith told reporters before Game 2. "I still feel good up there, swinging at the right pitches, taking good pitches, just barely missing balls. Pitchers are making good pitches to me.
"It's been five games. Obviously want the results to be a little better, but at the end of the day, it's five games at the plate. No panic from me. So I'll be fine."
Brewers starting lineup for NLCS Game 2
02:04 PM ET, October 12 2026, Nancy ArmourMILWAUKEE — For the Brewers, captain Christian Yelich returns to the starting lineup. Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said he sat Yelich in favor of Andrew Vaughn because of Vaughn's previous success against Tarik Skubal, the Dodgers' Game 1 starter. Vaughn responded by getting Milwaukee's first hit off Skubal, though he grounded into a double play his second time up.
Bring that same energy
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) October 12, 2026
📺: FOX
📻: WTMJ#WinOurWay pic.twitter.com/vPo2NdAcoV
Dodgers starting lineup for NLCS Game 2
01:44 PM ET, October 12 2026, Nancy ArmourMILWAUKEE — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided a change might get Will Smith out of his offensive slump.
After saying he was leaning toward keeping Smith in the No. 3 spot, Roberts dropped his catcher two spots in the lineup for Game 2 of the NLCS, flip-flopping him with Teoscar Hernandez. Switch-hitter Tommy Edman replaces Kike Hernandez at second base and in the No. 9 spot against right-hander Logan Henderson.
Today's #NLCS Game 2 Dodgers lineup at Brewers: pic.twitter.com/re1NTN8Ni0
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 12, 2026
"He's not swinging the bat well. We'll see," Roberts said of Smith after Game 1. "It's hard because the body of work, and he just has that knack to get a hit, to get a big hit. You also have to kind of think about who you want to place and do I want to flip him and Teo? It's a fair question, but right now I still like him at the top of the order."
Smith was just 1 for 16 in the NLDS, then went 0 for 3 with a walk in Game 1 against the Brewers. But Roberts said after Game 1 that he couldn't take Smith out of the lineup because of his value behind the plate.
"I'm not going to put (backup catcher Hunter) Feduccia in place of Will Smith. That's just not going to happen," Roberts said.
Dodger Stadium hasn't been kind to Jake Bauers
01:17 PM ET, October 12 2026, Nancy ArmourMILWAUKEE — Jake Bauers saw his first Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium. His memories of that ballpark have gone downhill since then.
Bauers, who grew up in Southern California, played for the 2013 state title at Dodger Stadium, his Marina High School losing 1-0 to Harvard-Westlake. Then last year, the Dodgers completed their sweep of Bauers' Brewers in the NLCS at home.
"So not a whole lot of positive memories out at Dodger Stadium," Bauers said with a smile. "Hoping to make some (this year) for sure."
Brewers NLCS roster
10:17 AM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovThe official NLCS Crew#WinOurWay x @amfam pic.twitter.com/MHIXRm5nMO
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) October 11, 2026
Dodgers roster for NLCS
09:40 AM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovHere’s your 26-man roster for the NLCS. pic.twitter.com/Afl0ymrzeO
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 11, 2026
Dodgers vs Brewers tickets
08:45 AM ET, October 12 2026, Jesse YomtovGet seats for 2026 NLCS
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brewers have juggernaut Dodgers on the ropes in NLCS: Game 2 takeaways
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