The Brewers aim to sweep the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS, with Milwaukee leading the series 3-0.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers return to UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, October 15, 2026, for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. First pitch is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, with national television coverage on FS1, FOX Deportes, and FOX One. Milwaukee enters the contest with a commanding 3-0 series advantage following Wednesday’s 6-2 victory. For the Dodgers, the circumstances are unmistakable: their season is on the line, and they must find answers against a Brewers team that has combined disciplined pitching with timely offensive production throughout the series.
Milwaukee's Commanding Position
Milwaukee’s position reflects a postseason run built on execution in critical moments. The Brewers opened the NLCS with a 2-1 victory before producing a 7-4 win in Game 2, taking both contests at home. Their third consecutive victory came in Los Angeles, where late-inning power helped turn a competitive game into a two-run defeat for the defending champions. According to Reuters’ October 15 report, Milwaukee now stands one win away from its second World Series appearance, having last reached the Fall Classic in 1982. The opportunity represents a significant milestone for a franchise seeking its first championship.
Dodgers' Challenge Under Pressure
The Dodgers, meanwhile, face the challenge of recovering from consecutive setbacks while playing under elimination pressure. Los Angeles won its first two games against Atlanta in the Division Series after splitting the opening contests, eventually advancing with a 3-1 series victory. However, the NLCS has exposed difficulties in maintaining offensive consistency and controlling the opposition’s most dangerous innings. The defending champions have experienced success in recent postseasons, but their experience cannot erase the immediate challenge of facing a Milwaukee club that has seized control of the series. Their response in Game 4 will depend on better pitching execution, improved situational hitting, and greater offensive production with runners in scoring position.
Pitching Matchup and Key Players
Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to start for Los Angeles, giving the Dodgers an experienced right-hander in a game that demands a substantial contribution from the rotation. MLB’s probable-pitcher listing identifies Glasnow as the Game 4 starter and lists his postseason line at a 1.93 ERA with five strikeouts entering the matchup. His ability to miss bats makes him an important component of the Dodgers’ effort to slow Milwaukee’s offense. Nevertheless, command and efficiency will be crucial. Avoiding unnecessary walks, limiting hard contact, and working deep enough into the game to preserve bullpen options could determine how effectively Los Angeles manages the middle innings.
Milwaukee’s starting-pitcher assignment requires careful attention because the club had not formally announced its Game 4 starter in the latest MLB probable-pitcher listing. Tyler Glasnow is confirmed for Los Angeles, but the Brewers’ selection should not be presented as official until the team or MLB updates its announcement. The matchup also carries an unusual storyline: former Dodgers pitcher Dustin May appears among the listed candidates in CBS Sports’ Game 4 preview. May’s familiarity with Los Angeles could add intrigue if he receives the assignment, although the final confirmation remains essential before publishing a definitive pitching matchup.
Offensive Strategies and Key Moments
The Brewers’ offensive performance in Game 3 demonstrated how quickly their lineup can change the direction of a postseason contest. Jackson Chourio opened the scoring with a leadoff home run against Dodgers starter Blake Snell, immediately putting pressure on Los Angeles. The Dodgers subsequently moved ahead 2-1 after Will Smith delivered a two-run double in the sixth inning. Milwaukee answered decisively in the seventh, when Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell hit consecutive home runs. Additional insurance followed in the eighth, completing a 6-2 victory that left the Dodgers searching for answers against the Brewers’ power and late-game execution.
Chourio remains a particularly important player to watch because of his ability to generate immediate momentum. His opening home run in Game 3 showed the danger of allowing Milwaukee’s hitters to attack early in an at-bat. The Brewers do not necessarily need extended rallies to produce decisive damage; one well-timed swing can change the scoreboard and force an opposing manager to reconsider bullpen plans. Bauers and Mitchell also demonstrated that Milwaukee’s offensive threat extends beyond its headline performers. For Los Angeles, limiting mistakes with runners on base and avoiding middle-inning breakdowns will be essential to preventing another decisive offensive surge.
Dodgers' Offensive Adjustments
The Dodgers’ lineup must find a way to produce more consistent results against Milwaukee’s pitching staff. Shohei Ohtani has been a central figure in Los Angeles’ championship ambitions, but Reuters reported before Game 3 that he had collected only three singles in 20 postseason at-bats. He also entered the game managing issues involving his right biceps and left knee. Manager Dave Roberts moved Ohtani to sixth in the batting order for Game 3, a notable adjustment intended to address his recent struggles while maintaining him in the lineup. His health, timing, and ability to reach base remain important considerations heading into Game 4.
Los Angeles will also need contributions from its supporting hitters. Smith showed in Game 3 that he can produce a significant result under pressure, driving in two runs with his sixth-inning double. However, the Dodgers managed only five hits in the 6-2 defeat, according to Reuters. That limited production left little margin for error once Milwaukee regained the lead. The lineup must combine patience with aggression, capitalize on mistakes, and avoid giving Brewers pitchers easy innings. Getting traffic onto the bases ahead of the Dodgers’ strongest power hitters would create more opportunities to manufacture runs and reduce the pressure on the pitching staff.
Bullpen Management and Historical Context
Bullpen management is another major element of the Game 4 preview. Milwaukee received five scoreless innings from Robert Gasser in Game 3, during which the left-hander allowed just three hits. Relievers DL Hall and Trevor Megill then helped secure the victory. Their performance reinforced the value of a pitching staff capable of dividing responsibilities effectively rather than relying exclusively on its starter. Los Angeles must respond with comparable discipline. If Glasnow exits early or encounters trouble, the Dodgers will need reliable relief innings while protecting against the late-inning home runs that proved decisive in the previous game.
The broader postseason history adds significance to this matchup. The Dodgers and Brewers have met in the playoffs previously, including the 2018 NLCS, the 2020 Wild Card Series, and the 2025 NLCS. Los Angeles won those three earlier postseason meetings, according to MLB’s series preview. Milwaukee, however, has established the upper hand in this year’s matchup and won the 2026 regular-season series four games to three. The Brewers also took three of four games at Dodger Stadium in August, demonstrating that their success in Los Angeles is not limited to the current championship series. That recent history gives the visitors additional confidence while increasing the urgency surrounding the home team.
Ultimately, Game 4 presents two teams confronting very different immediate objectives. Milwaukee can secure the National League pennant with another victory, completing a remarkable sweep of the defending champions and advancing to the World Series for the first time since 1982. Los Angeles must focus on the next game rather than the overall deficit, relying on Glasnow, its offensive leaders, and its bullpen to deliver a complete performance. The scheduled first pitch is 8:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday, October 15, with coverage available on FS1 and its associated platforms. With the season at stake for the Dodgers and history within reach for the Brewers, every inning carries considerable postseason importance.
