NLCS Bracket 2018: Brewers vs. Dodgers Game Times, Odds and Prediction

The Los Angeles Dodgers regained a foothold in the National League Championship Series on Tuesday as they outlasted the Milwaukee Brewers in 13 innings. 

Now the series comes down to who can win two of the next three games, with Game 5 at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday.

Each team is in need of a quality start (Wade Miley for Milwaukee and Clayton Kershaw for L.A.) in Game 5 after both their bullpens were stretched out. 

Thursday's rest day for the trip back to Milwaukee will be welcomed with open arms by the two clubs, with the Game 5 winner likely emerging as the favorite to advance to the World Series.

NLCS Schedule

Game 5: Wednesday, October 17, at Los Angeles (5:05 p.m., FS1) 

Game 6: Friday, October 19, at Milwaukee (8:39 p.m., FS1)

Game 7: Saturday, October 20, at Milwaukee (9:09 p.m., FS1)*

*if necessary

Odds (via OddsShark)

Game 5

Milwaukee (+135; bet $100 to win $135) 

Los Angeles (-163; bet $163 to win $100)  

Prediction

Dodgers in 6

The momentum boost earned from the Game 4 win at home will propel the Dodgers into the driver's seat for Game 5 as Kershaw controls the contest. 

In four of his last six postseason starts, Kershaw has conceded two runs or fewer, and he's been untouchable at home in his last three playoff outings, giving up one earned run in 19 innings. 

Kershaw will continue his postseason form against a Brewers team that recorded two hits after the eighth inning in Game 4. 

The Brewers are hitting .231 in the series, and National League MVP candidate Christian Yelich only has three hits in 16 at-bats (.188). 

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

The combination of an in-form Kershaw and an underperforming Milwaukee lineup will hand Game 5 to the Dodgers before the series shifts back to Miller Park. 

Based off what we've seen throughout the NLCS, the Dodgers will rely on Hyun-Jin Ryu in Game 6 to toss five or six strong innings before handing the ball over to the setup men and eventually Kenley Jansen. 

The simple transition from starter to bullpen is going to be helped by a few early runs, with Manny Machado once again being the catalyst. 

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Brewers manager Craig Counsell has shown his hand on multiple occasions, and no matter how impressive one of his starters looks, he's insistent on riding his relievers to success. 

How smart that strategy is at the back end of a seven-game series remains to be seen, but if the Brewers are forced to use up bullpen arms for the majority of Game 5, the day off can only help so much. 

The performances of Kershaw and Ryu will set the tone for victories, while Machado, who has six hits in 17 at-bats, will end up as the NLCS MVP for his clutch hits in both Games 5 and 6 to send the Dodgers into their second straight World Series. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.