MLB Game Preview: Milwaukee Brewers (74-47) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (73-48)

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Los Angeles Dodgers logo

Venue and first pitch:

Dodger Stadium (also referred to as UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium), Los Angeles, California.

First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 p.m. ET.

TV/streaming options include SportsNet LA, Brewers.TV, and platforms such as Fubo.

This is the opener of a four-game series between the NL’s top two teams by record (Brewers hold a one-game edge for the best record in the National League).

Weather forecast: Mostly cloudy to partly cloudy skies with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s°F (around 79–83°F during the day, cooling into the mid-60s overnight). Low chance of precipitation (near 0%). Southwest winds around 8–15 mph in the afternoon/evening. Typical dry, mild late-summer conditions at Dodger Stadium with minimal weather impact expected for the night game.

Probable starters:

Brewers: LHP Shane Drohan (6-4, 3.87 ERA, ≈1.25 WHIP, 93 K in 93 IP). The left-hander has shown solid control and strikeout ability in his starts/appearances this season. He faced the Dodgers in relief earlier in the year.

Dodgers: RHP Roki Sasaki (5-5, 4.54 ERA, ≈1.28 WHIP, 106 K in 105 IP). The Japanese right-hander has improved notably of late (strong recent stretch with a sub-2.00 ERA in some reports over his last few starts). He previously faced Milwaukee in May.

Current key roster notes / top performers:
Brewers feature Brice Turang (strong AVG/OBP, ≈16 HR, high RBI ≈76), Jake Bauers (power ≈21 HR), William Contreras, Jackson Chourio (solid AVG and power), and others. Balanced offense (≈.251 AVG, solid OBP) with excellent team pitching (ERA ≈3.53–3.54, one of the best in MLB).

Dodgers lineup is headlined by Shohei Ohtani (elite production ≈.292 AVG, power ≈27 HR), Freddie Freeman (high AVG ≈.306), Andy Pages, Max Muncy, Kyle Tucker, and Mookie Betts. Strong overall offense (≈.261 AVG, high SLG ≈.428, ≈152 HR) and solid pitching (ERA ≈3.72). Both clubs are division leaders.

Injury reports (latest available):
Brewers:
Sal Frelick (10-day IL, shoulder); Cooper Pratt (10-day IL, hamstring); JoJo Romero (15-day IL, abdomen/appendix); Joel Kuhnel (15-day IL, shoulder); longer-term 60-day IL includes Brandon Woodruff (shoulder), Angel Zerpa (forearm/elbow), Brian Fitzpatrick (elbow), Quinn Priester (shoulder), and others.

bDalton Rushing (10-day IL, arm); Brock Stewart (15-day IL, shoulder); Will Klein (15-day IL, elbow); extensive 60-day IL includes Will Smith (neck), Blake Treinen (elbow), Tyler Glasnow (back), Bobby Miller, Gavin Stone, Ben Casparius, Jake Cousins, Brusdar Graterol, and others (mostly arm/shoulder issues). Freddie Freeman was listed as probable/available in some reports.

Key player vs. player / matchup notes:
Drohan’s left-handed arsenal will challenge a Dodgers lineup that features strong lefty hitters (Ohtani, Freeman) but has shown vulnerability at times to southpaws. Sasaki’s improved velocity and secondary pitches face a Brewers offense that relies on contact, on-base skills (Turang), and opportunistic power (Bauers, Chourio). Prior limited meetings give both sides familiarity. Dodger Stadium’s night conditions and the high stakes (best-record implications) add intrigue. Both rotations have depth, but bullpen usage after recent series could matter.

Recent team forms:
Brewers:
Mixed (2-3 last 5; 5-5 last 10) after being swept by the Padres in their previous series. Still hold the NL’s best record and lead the NL Central.

Dodgers: Solid (3-2 or better recent stretch, including series wins). Leading the NL West and close behind Milwaukee for the overall NL best record.

Series history: This is the first meeting of a four-game set. The Dodgers took two of three from Milwaukee in May. The clubs met in the 2025 NLCS (Dodgers swept). Regular-season history has been competitive, with home-field and current form favoring Los Angeles slightly in this matchup.

Game Odds

Milwaukee Brewers       8.5

Los Angeles Dodgers      – 141

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, August 12, 2026

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