MLB Playoff Bracket 2025, Early NLCS Odds, TV Schedule and Predictions

The Milwaukee Brewers are headed to the National League Championship Series for the first time since 2018 after taking the divisional series from their rivals, the Chicago Cubs, three games to two.

The best team in baseball in 2025, Milwaukee is four wins away from appearing in their first World Series since 1982, when they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals.

Awaiting them are the defending World Series champions, the star-studded and bat-swinging Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ahead of a series with plenty of potential to be one of the best of this season's playoffs, find out when and where to check out the action, what the odds makers are saying early, and which team should be predicted to cash their ticket to the Fall Classic.

TV Schedule

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Game 1

Date: Monday, October 13

Time: 7:30 p.m. EST

Location: American Family Field

TV: TBS

Streaming: HBO Max

Game 2

Date: Tuesday, October 14

Time: 8:08 p.m. EST

Location: American Family Field

TV: TBS

Streaming: HBO Max

Game 3

Date: Thursday, October 16

Time: TBD

Location: Dodger Stadium

TV: TBS

Streaming: HBO Max

Game 4

Date: Friday, October 17

Time: TBD

Location: Dodger Stadium

TV: TBS

Streaming: HBO Max

Game 5 (if necessary)

Date: Saturday, October 18

Time: TBD

Location: Dodger Stadium

TV: TBS

Streaming: HBO Max

Game 6 (if necessary)

Date: Monday, October 20

Time: TBD

Location: American Family Field

TV: TBS

Streaming: HBO Max

Game 7 (if necessary)

Date: Tuesday, October 21

Time: TBD

Location: American Family Field

TV: TBS

Streaming: HBO Max

Early NLCS Odds

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Los Angeles Dodgers (-151, bet $100, win $166.22)

Milwaukee Brewers (+124, bet $100, win $224)

Over/Under: 7.5

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook

NLCS Preview and Prediction

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The Dodgers and Brewers scored the second and third most runs in the regular season, respectively, doing so in two completely different ways.

Los Angeles blasted 244 home runs, good for second in MLB. Their ability to launch the long ball and change games with the swing of a bat makes them dangerous, regardless of the inning or situation.

Milwaukee, on the other hand, plays small ball to perfection. They ranked 22nd in home runs, but still scored enough to finish in the top three in the majors. It can be frustrating for fans who prefer explosive plays, but they are relentless hitters and can rally and put together big innings.

With that said, two of the three runs scored by the NL Central champs came on home runs from Andrew Vaughn and Bryce Turang, proving they are not incapable of launching balls in big moments.

As important as both teams' offense is, though, their defense could prove to be the difference.

The Brewers are third in baseball in fielding run value, according to Statcast, which captures "a player's measurable defensive performance onto a run-based scale, converting various metrics like OAA, blocking, framing, etc."

The Dodgers rank 12th.

Milwaukee has been slightly better at the mound, with a team ERA of .335 in the postseason to Los Angeles' .338. The difference may come down to which team's best pitchers show up under the bright lights.

Blake Snell has been outstanding for the defending World Series champion Dodgers, accumulating a 1.38 ERA, a 0.77 WHIP, and a 2-0 record in 13 innings pitched. For the Brewers, rookie Jacob Misiorowski has come out of the bullpen to tremendous results, with a 1.29 ERA, seven strikeouts, and four hits in seven innings of action.

The two teams could not be more different. The Dodgers are a collection of the highest-paid players in the league, arguably the game's most visible squad, and the defending champions. The Brewers flew under the radar all season, putting together the best win-loss record in baseball, and embracing the "regular Joes" nickname.

They score similarly and their defensive play is in the top half of the majors. The Brewers can hit any pitcher and have proven the ability to score in bunches, frustrate their opponents and pull out wins.

Their one weakness, their ability to routinely hit the long ball, could prove problematic in a postseason series in which the dramatic home run is the difference between going to the World Series and going home.

What Milwaukee has accomplished in 2025 has been magical but there are too many questions about their ability to match the firepower of the celebrated Dodgers.

Prediction: Los Angels wins the series in six