Brewers Beat Dodgers 7-4 in NLCS Game 2, Take Commanding 2-0 Series Lead

Brewers Move Two Wins Away From NL Pennant

The Milwaukee Brewers are two wins away from their first National League pennant after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-4 in Game 2 of the NL Championship Series on Monday night. William Contreras hit a game tying home run in the fifth inning and delivered the go-ahead RBI single in the sixth, leading Milwaukee to its second consecutive victory over the two time defending World Series champions.

The Brewers’ bullpen then shut the door, with Dustin May, JoJo Romero, Abner Uribe and Aaron Ashby combining to retire the Dodgers’ final 15 batters in order. Milwaukee now holds a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series as the matchup shifts to Los Angeles for Game 3 on Wednesday.

Milwaukee is chasing its first World Series appearance since 1982, when the franchise competed in the American League. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is attempting to become the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series titles.

The Dodgers now face an uphill battle to keep their championship hopes alive. Their most recent comeback from a 2-0 deficit came in the 2020 NLCS, when they rallied to defeat the Atlanta Braves in seven games before going on to win the World Series.

Contreras Sparks Milwaukee’s Comeback

The Dodgers took the lead three times during the first five innings, but Milwaukee answered each time to keep the game within reach. Contreras delivered the biggest blow in the fifth, launching a 436-foot home run to center field off Kris Bubic to tie the score and shift the momentum toward the Brewers.

The home run turned the contest into a battle of the bullpens, an advantage that ultimately belonged to Milwaukee. Brewers relievers have allowed just one earned run across 28 2/3 innings this postseason, establishing themselves as one of the team’s biggest strengths during its playoff run.

With the score tied 4-4, Milwaukee seized control in the sixth inning. David Hamilton led off by getting hit by a pitch from Brock Stewart, and Stewart’s subsequent pickoff attempt sailed past Freddie Freeman’s glove and into foul territory, allowing Hamilton to advance to second base.

After Jackson Chourio grounded out, Stewart walked left-handed hitter Brice Turang to bring Contreras to the plate. The Milwaukee catcher had already homered in his previous at-bat, and he delivered again, lining a single to left field to score Hamilton with the go-ahead run.

Contreras finished 3-for-4 with a walk, a home run and three RBIs, providing the offensive spark Milwaukee needed to take control of the series. Turang and Jake Bauers added RBI singles in the eighth inning, extending the Brewers’ advantage to 7-4 and giving their bullpen additional breathing room.

Dodgers’ Offense Struggles Again

Los Angeles has struggled to produce timely hits throughout the postseason, and Game 2 was another frustrating example. The Dodgers managed just three hits Monday and went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, dropping their postseason average in those situations to 2-for-26.

The lack of production has put additional pressure on a pitching staff that has been unable to consistently contain Milwaukee’s offense. The Dodgers also failed to get the performance they expected from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who entered Monday’s game with an 8-1 record and a 2.14 ERA in 11 career postseason appearances. Yamamoto lasted just 2 2/3 innings, marking the shortest postseason start of his career.

Los Angeles briefly held the lead on multiple occasions, but Milwaukee repeatedly responded. Once the Brewers moved ahead in the sixth, their bullpen ensured the Dodgers never had another opportunity to threaten. The Dodgers will need a significantly stronger offensive performance in Game 3 to avoid falling into a nearly insurmountable 3-0 series hole.

Brewers’ Bullpen Continues to Dominate

Milwaukee’s relievers have been instrumental in the team’s postseason success, consistently protecting leads and shutting down opposing offenses late in games. After Contreras gave the Brewers the lead, May, Romero, Uribe and Ashby combined to retire every Dodgers batter they faced over the final five innings. Los Angeles could not generate another baserunner, allowing Milwaukee to secure a crucial road victory.

The bullpen’s postseason numbers underscore its importance. With just one earned run allowed in 28 2/3 innings, the Brewers have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to close out games when their offense provides enough support. That formula has now helped Milwaukee take the first two games against the reigning champions, putting the Brewers in an excellent position as they head to Los Angeles.

NLCS Game 3 on Wednesday Night

The series resumes Wednesday in Los Angeles, where the Dodgers will attempt to get back into the matchup and prevent Milwaukee from moving within one victory of the National League pennant. Robert Gasser, who enters with a 5-5 record and a 3.87 ERA, is expected to start for Milwaukee. The Dodgers are expected to counter with Blake Snell, who has posted a 4-1 record and a 1.90 ERA.

With the series shifting to Los Angeles, the Dodgers will have the home-field advantage as they attempt to revive their championship defense. However, Milwaukee has already shown it can withstand the pressure, deliver key hits and rely on a dominant bullpen to finish the job.

The Brewers need just two more victories to reach their first World Series since 1982. The Dodgers, meanwhile, must find answers quickly if they hope to keep their pursuit of a third consecutive championship alive.