The Milwaukee Brewers face the biggest stage American Family Field has seen in years, hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, October 11 in the National League Championship Series. First pitch is set for 8:00 PM ET on FOX, with Jacob Misiorowski taking the ball for Milwaukee against left-hander Tarik Skubal. The Brewers need a win to keep their World Series hopes alive. The Dodgers bring one of the most formidable lineups in baseball, making this a matchup that will test everything Milwaukee has built this postseason.

Brewers vs. Dodgers NLCS: Starting Pitchers

Jacob Misiorowski gets the nod for the Brewers, and this is a moment of genuine intrigue. The hard-throwing right-hander has shown flashes of being the kind of arm that can carve up a lineup when his stuff is working. The Dodgers counter with Tarik Skubal, who spent 2025 establishing himself as one of the premier starters in the American League before landing in Los Angeles. Skubal attacks hitters with a deep arsenal and the kind of command that makes big lineups look ordinary. Misiorowski will need to match that energy from the first pitch, because this Dodgers offense does not let you ease into a game.

Milwaukee Brewers Lineup Analysis

Manager Pat Murphy sends out a lineup anchored by Jackson Chourio at the top. Chourio's speed and athleticism in left field gives Milwaukee a threat every time he reaches base. Brice Turang bats second, with William Contreras providing the professional at-bat in the three hole. Jake Bauers slots in at cleanup at first base, a telling sign of how Milwaukee has navigated this roster through the postseason. Andrew Vaughn handles the DH role at five, while Garrett Mitchell brings his speed and range to center field in the six spot. Cooper Pratt, Luis Lara, and Joey Ortiz round out the bottom third.

Los Angeles Dodgers Lineup Analysis

This is simply one of the most dangerous batting orders in baseball. Mookie Betts leads off at shortstop, followed by Freddie Freeman at first base — a one-two combination that punishes any mistake early. Will Smith catches and bats third, setting the table for Shohei Ohtani in the cleanup spot. Teoscar Hernández, Max Muncy, Andy Pages, Kyle Tucker, and Enrique Hernández complete a lineup with no easy outs from top to bottom. Misiorowski cannot afford to nibble. Any prolonged walks or pitch count issues early will bring the Dodgers bullpen into the equation sooner than Milwaukee wants.

Keys to Watch in Sunday's NLCS Game

• Misiorowski's first-inning command: Setting the tone early against Betts and Freeman is non-negotiable. A quick first inning keeps the Brewers bullpen fresh and the crowd at American Family Field loud.
• Chourio on the bases: If Jackson Chourio gets on against Skubal, Milwaukee has to be aggressive. Disrupting Skubal's rhythm with speed could be the difference-maker.
• Contreras vs. Skubal: The Brewers need William Contreras to deliver in the middle of the order. His ability to work counts and drive runners in will be critical against a pitcher of Skubal's caliber.
• Milwaukee's bullpen depth: If Misiorowski exits before the sixth inning, the Brewers' relievers face a brutal gauntlet. Managing that bridge to the back end of the bullpen is essential.
• Ohtani with runners on base: The Dodgers' cleanup hitter is the one at-bat Milwaukee cannot afford to lose with men on. How the Brewers decide to approach him will define their entire defensive strategy.

Prediction

This is a genuine uphill climb for Milwaukee. Skubal is a difficult assignment for any lineup, and the Dodgers have the depth to answer back any time the Brewers get something going. That said, American Family Field will be rocking on Sunday night, and Misiorowski has the arm to keep Los Angeles off-balance in a short series environment where stuff plays up. Give the edge to the Dodgers, 4-2, but do not count out a Brewers club that has earned every game it has played this October. This one goes deep into the night.