Los Angeles Dodgers vs Milwaukee Brewers Picks and Predictions October 17th 2025

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Milwaukee Brewers Game 4 Preview

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one win away from returning to the World Series, and they’ll hand the ball to Shohei Ohtani in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. Ohtani will try to pitch the Dodgers to a sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

Los Angeles leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 after a 3-1 victory in Game 3. Tyler Glasnow struck out eight over 5 ⅔ innings, following Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s complete-game gem in Game 2 and Blake Snell’s dominant eight-inning performance in Game 1. The Dodgers have allowed only three total runs in the series, relying more on elite pitching than offensive fireworks.

Ohtani will pitch on 12 days of rest. His lone postseason start this year came in the NLDS opener, where he gave up three runs over six innings while striking out nine. He also went 2-for-11 at the plate in this series but opened Game 3 with a triple to spark a first-inning rally.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, has scored just three runs combined through three games and now faces elimination on the road. The Brewers’ offense has been flat, hitting only .170 in the series.

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Line Movement and Odds

The Dodgers opened as –194 favorites, with the Brewers listed at +161. The total sits at 8.0 runs. Early action has leaned toward Los Angeles, while sharper money has backed the under given both teams’ dominant pitching so far.

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Matchup Breakdown

Shohei Ohtani’s start gives the Dodgers both a frontline arm and an impact bat. Ohtani posted a 2.87 ERA and 1.04 WHIP this season, limiting hitters to a .199 average. His mix of power and precision could overwhelm a Milwaukee lineup that has struggled to make hard contact. Los Angeles doesn’t need a scoring explosion — just a few timely hits from Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, or Will Smith could be enough to close the series.

The Dodgers’ rotation has been sensational. Yamamoto, Snell, and Glasnow have combined for a 1.38 ERA through three NLCS games. Their bullpen, anchored by Ryan Brasier and Daniel Hudson, has allowed only one run in 10 ⅔ innings.

Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy has not confirmed a Game 4 starter but could turn to left-hander José Quintana for multiple innings. The Brewers’ pitching has kept them competitive, yet a dormant offense has been the main issue. Caleb Durbin has been one of the few bright spots, collecting three of the team’s 10 hits in the series.

Brewers hitters like Christian Yelich and William Contreras must deliver early if Milwaukee hopes to extend its season. The Brewers averaged 4.7 runs per game during the regular season but haven’t scored more than once in any of the first three NLCS matchups.

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Key Storylines

Los Angeles is on the verge of back-to-back World Series appearances and could become the first team since the 1998–2000 New York Yankees to repeat as champions. Manager Dave Roberts has leaned heavily on his rotation, and it has delivered near-perfect execution.

Ohtani’s outing will draw global attention. Not only can he seal the series on the mound, but he has a chance to break out offensively after a quiet postseason at the plate. The Dodgers’ lineup remains dangerous even with limited production from its superstar.

For Milwaukee, desperation might bring lineup changes or more aggressive baserunning. The Brewers need production from the middle of their order, particularly from Yelich and Brice Turang, to generate the spark their manager has been asking for.

Prediction

Los Angeles has been nearly flawless through three games, and with Shohei Ohtani taking the mound at home, the Dodgers are positioned to finish the job. Milwaukee’s pitching can keep it close, but the Brewers’ lack of offensive rhythm should be decisive.

Projected Score: Los Angeles Dodgers 5, Milwaukee Brewers 3
Best Bet: Dodgers –194 moneyline
Secondary Lean: Under 8.0 (–115)

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