Los Angeles Dodgers vs Milwaukee Brewers Picks and Prediction for Monday October 12 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers visit the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Monday, October 12, 2026, for Game 2 of the National League Championship Series. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 PM ET, with national coverage on FOX and FS1. Milwaukee opened the series with a 2-1 victory Sunday night, taking an early advantage in the best-of-seven matchup between the National League's two 100-win teams. The Brewers finished the regular season at 103-59, while the Dodgers went 100-62. An October 11 betting preview listed Milwaukee at -113 and Los Angeles at -107, with the total set at seven runs. American Family Field has a retractable roof, and its status for Monday has not been confirmed. The outdoor forecast calls for temperatures around 84 degrees at first pitch, winds near 10 mph with gusts approaching 17 mph, and little precipitation risk. Those conditions should have limited influence if the roof is closed. Be sure to check out our free MLB picks for more MLB predictions throughout the postseason.
Starting Pitchers
Los Angeles is scheduled to start Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who enters Monday with a 1-0 postseason record, 1.29 ERA, and 0.71 WHIP. Yamamoto was outstanding in his NLDS appearance against Atlanta, allowing just one earned run on four hits across seven innings while striking out ten and walking one. He threw 98 pitches and repeatedly prevented the Braves from building sustained offensive pressure. His ability to work deep into games is particularly valuable in a championship series, where limiting bullpen exposure can make a significant difference.
Milwaukee counters with Logan Henderson, who enters at 0-0 with a 1.80 postseason ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Henderson made his playoff debut against San Diego on October 4, allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits over five innings. He struck out four and walked three, helping Milwaukee secure a 4-3 victory. Henderson finished the regular season at 11-3 with a 2.47 ERA and 0.84 WHIP, demonstrating impressive consistency despite making only 18 starts. His ability to limit hard contact makes him a difficult opponent, although his three walks against San Diego suggest that Los Angeles could create opportunities by remaining patient.
The starting pitching matchup provides both teams with reasons for confidence. Yamamoto has considerably more postseason experience and demonstrated excellent command against Atlanta, while Henderson has been one of Milwaukee's most dependable young starters. The Dodgers have an advantage in established postseason experience, but Henderson's regular-season performance suggests the Brewers won't necessarily need extensive bullpen support early. Whichever starter controls the strike zone and avoids prolonged innings should give his team an important advantage in what could become another closely contested game.
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
Los Angeles Dodgers Need to Find More Offensive Consistency
Los Angeles enters Game 2 trying to avoid falling into a two-game deficit before the series moves to California. The Dodgers advanced to the NLCS after defeating Atlanta in four games, but their offense hasn't been particularly efficient during the postseason. Los Angeles scored only 14 runs across those four NLDS contests, averaging 3.5 per game despite hitting eight home runs. The Dodgers have demonstrated considerable power, but producing runs consistently with runners in scoring position has been a problem. During the Division Series, Los Angeles managed just one hit in 23 opportunities with runners in scoring position, leaving too many scoring chances unconverted.
Sunday's 2-1 defeat against Milwaukee continued those offensive frustrations. The Dodgers generated opportunities against the Brewers' pitching staff but couldn't produce enough timely hitting to overcome Milwaukee's narrow advantage. Los Angeles had another opportunity in the ninth inning but failed to push across the tying run. The Dodgers have enough power throughout their lineup to change a game with one swing, but relying exclusively on home runs isn't a dependable approach against a Milwaukee staff that has consistently limited scoring. Better situational hitting will be important Monday, particularly against a starter who has occasionally struggled with walks.
The encouraging development for Los Angeles is that its starting rotation continues to perform well. The Dodgers received a quality effort in Sunday's opener, and Yamamoto's previous postseason appearance demonstrated that he can dominate an opponent without needing overwhelming offensive support. Los Angeles should be capable of keeping Milwaukee's offense under control if Yamamoto maintains his command and works into the later innings. However, the Dodgers need more from their offense than isolated solo home runs or occasional extra-base hits. Taking advantage of Henderson's control issues and forcing Milwaukee to make earlier bullpen decisions could provide the opportunities Los Angeles needs to even the series.
Milwaukee Brewers Have Established an Early Series Advantage
Milwaukee enters Monday with confidence after securing a 2-1 victory in Sunday's opener. The Brewers finished the regular season with an MLB-best 103 victories and have demonstrated throughout the postseason that they can succeed without relying on overwhelming offensive production. Milwaukee eliminated San Diego in four games during the Division Series, using strong pitching and timely hitting to advance. Sunday's victory followed a similar pattern, with the Brewers receiving enough production from their lineup while their pitching staff prevented Los Angeles from completing a late comeback.
The Brewers have emphasized run prevention throughout the postseason, and their bullpen has become particularly important. Milwaukee's relief staff recorded a 1.80 ERA during the Division Series and continued its effectiveness in Sunday's opener, protecting a narrow advantage after the starting pitcher departed. The Brewers don't necessarily need to generate substantial offensive production when their pitching staff is limiting opponents to one or two runs. However, Monday presents another demanding challenge because Yamamoto has demonstrated an ability to prevent opponents from establishing scoring opportunities. Milwaukee must remain patient at the plate and capitalize when runners reach scoring position.
One important advantage for Milwaukee is that Henderson has already demonstrated an ability to handle Los Angeles. During an August 16 regular-season start at Dodger Stadium, he pitched seven innings and allowed just one earned run while helping the Brewers secure a victory. That performance provides some confidence heading into Monday, although postseason baseball creates a different level of pressure. Milwaukee also benefits from remaining at American Family Field, where its ability to manufacture runs and rely on a dependable bullpen has been particularly valuable. The Brewers have already established that they can win close games against Los Angeles, and another disciplined pitching performance could send them to California with a commanding series advantage.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Milwaukee Brewers Picks and Prediction
Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers Moneyline (-107)
I'm taking Los Angeles to even the series behind Yamamoto. Milwaukee deserves considerable respect after winning Sunday's opener, but the Dodgers have an opportunity to respond with one of their most dependable postseason starters. Yamamoto was outstanding against Atlanta, allowing one run over seven innings while striking out ten, and his ability to work deep into games could reduce the pressure on the Los Angeles bullpen. Henderson has been impressive for Milwaukee, but his three walks during his postseason debut create an opportunity for a patient Dodgers lineup to establish scoring chances. Los Angeles has struggled with runners in scoring position, so the offense must improve its execution rather than depending on another series of solo home runs. Milwaukee's home-field advantage and bullpen make this a difficult matchup, but the Dodgers have enough pitching quality to keep the game close and capitalize on a few timely offensive opportunities. At -107, Los Angeles is the preferred side in what should be another competitive postseason contest.
Pick: Under 7 Runs
The Under 7 is the total pick. Both starting pitchers enter with impressive postseason numbers, and their previous performances suggest scoring opportunities could be limited during the opening innings. Yamamoto allowed just one earned run in seven innings against Atlanta, while Henderson surrendered only one earned run across five innings against San Diego. The Dodgers have averaged 3.5 runs through their four NLDS games, and Sunday's opener produced only three combined runs. Milwaukee has also demonstrated that it can protect narrow advantages through its bullpen, reducing the likelihood of a substantial late-game scoring surge. The concern is that both offenses possess enough power to change the contest quickly, particularly if either starter struggles with command. However, the pitching matchup and recent offensive trends favor another relatively controlled game. A 3-2 or 4-2 Los Angeles victory is a reasonable possibility, making the Under 7 the preferred total.
Final Picks: Los Angeles Dodgers Moneyline (-107) and Under 7 Runs
This preview was completed on October 12, 2026. Starting pitchers, betting lines, roof status, and other game information may change before first pitch.
Never Tried Picks and Parlays? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code BUCK
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Get $250 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 5 days
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonuses
