Milwaukee Brewers look to move one victory away from their first World Series appearance since 1982 when they visit Los Angeles Dodgers for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series at 8 p.m. ET.
Milwaukee seized control of the best-of-seven series with two victories at home, winning Sunday's opener 2-1 before taking Game 2 on Monday, 7-4.
Brice Turang homered in Game 1, while rookie Luis Lara delivered the go-ahead RBI single. Jacob Misiorowski allowed one run over 4 ⅓ innings before Milwaukee's bullpen combined for 4 ⅔ scoreless innings.
The Brewers followed with seven runs Monday, taking advantage of an abbreviated outing by Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who surrendered three runs over 2 ⅔ innings.
Milwaukee, which led the majors with 103 regular-season victories, has now won five of six postseason games after eliminating San Diego in four games in the NLDS.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, faces a potentially devastating deficit after sweeping Milwaukee in last year's NLCS on its way to a second consecutive World Series championship.
The Dodgers won 100 regular-season games, but have struggled offensively throughout October, particularly with runners in scoring position.
Left-hander Blake Snell gets the start for Los Angeles against Milwaukee left-hander Robert Gasser.
Brewers vs. Dodgers betting picks and predictions
Dodgers -1.5 (+127)
The Dodgers are running out of opportunities to rescue their season, but Wednesday's pitching matchup offers their best chance to regain control.
Snell went 4-1 with a 1.90 ERA and 55 strikeouts over 42 ⅔ innings during an injury-shortened regular season. He also allowed no home runs across his nine starts.
However, the two-time Cy Young Award winner struggled with his command against Atlanta in Game 2 of the NLDS, walking five batters and lasting just 3 ⅔ innings. He limited the damage to one earned run.
Snell has a 3.23 career postseason ERA and should benefit from pitching at Dodger Stadium, where Los Angeles went 51-30 during the regular season.
Gasser represents a considerably different challenge for the Dodgers' lineup.
The Milwaukee left-hander finished 5-5 with a 3.87 ERA over 21 appearances, including 20 starts. He struck out 103 batters across 109 ⅓ innings, while allowing 15 home runs.
Gasser held San Diego to one earned run over four innings in his NLDS appearance, but the Dodgers defeated him twice during the regular season.
Los Angeles also has considerable offensive concerns.
Shohei Ohtani is just 3-for-20 with no extra-base hits and seven strikeouts this postseason.
The four-time MVP has been dealing with knee and biceps injuries, raising questions about his effectiveness. He is expected to play Wednesday.
The Dodgers entered Game 3 batting just .193 during the postseason and 2-for-26 with runners in scoring position. Their inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities has been particularly damaging.
Still, Los Angeles hit 204 regular-season home runs compared with Milwaukee's 154, giving the Dodgers greater potential to change a game with one swing.
Milwaukee's lineup has been more productive and consistent, but Snell provides a significant starting-pitching advantage.
With their season approaching a crisis point, expect the Dodgers to respond at home and take Los Angeles to win by multiple runs.
Under 7.5 runs (-120)
The first two games produced three and 11 combined runs, respectively, but Wednesday's matchup favors another relatively low-scoring contest.
Snell's biggest concern is his control rather than his ability to limit hard contact. He allowed just 31 hits and no home runs over 42 ⅔ regular-season innings.
Milwaukee's offense scored 832 regular-season runs, but the Brewers rely more on consistent contact and getting runners aboard than overwhelming opponents with home runs.
That approach could be challenged by Snell's swing-and-miss arsenal, particularly if he avoids the walks that shortened his previous postseason start.
Gasser does not have Snell's strikeout ability, but he has demonstrated that he can keep Milwaukee competitive against quality opponents.
His 1.19 regular-season WHIP suggests he can limit baserunners, although his susceptibility to home runs remains a concern against Los Angeles.
The Dodgers' recent offensive struggles also support the under.
Ohtani has not homered since August 18 and the lineup has repeatedly failed to produce timely hits despite featuring several established postseason performers.
Milwaukee's bullpen has been another important factor. Its relievers protected a one-run advantage throughout the final 4 ⅔ innings of Game 1, preventing Los Angeles from mounting a comeback.
The Brewers should again have their late-inning options available following Tuesday's off day.
Snell's command and Gasser's vulnerability to the long ball introduce some risk, but neither team has consistently generated offense in this series.
Expect a tight game and take the under on 7.5 runs.
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Brewers vs. Dodgers odds
Milwaukee Brewers | +147 |
Los Angeles Dodgers | -174 |
Run Line | LA Dodgers -1.5 |
Total | O/U 7.5 |
Brewers vs. Dodgers player props
Home run odds
Jackson Chourio (MIL Brewers) | +575 |
Jake Bauers (MIL Brewers) | +700 |
Andrew Vaughn (MIL Brewers) | +850 |
Teoscar Hernandez (LA Dodgers) | +450 |
Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers) | +450 |
Max Muncy (LA Dodgers) | +475 |
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
