The Dodgers 2026 season came to a painful but predictable end on Thursday evening as the Milwaukee Brewers overcame a four-run deficit to beat the Dodgers 6-4 and sweep the Dodgers out of the NLCS. In doing so, the Brewers clinched their first franchise pennant since 1982. It is only the second time in Milwaukee’s history that they will be playing in the fall classic. Brewer’s first baseman Jake Bauers won NLCS MVP. It was well deserved.
The Dodgers got off to an early 4-0 lead against opposing starter southpaw Shane Drohan and former Dodger swingman Dustin May. Kyle Tucker singled, then once May replaced Drohan, Teoscar Hernandez singled up the middle to corner the runners. After Max Muncy struck out (pinch-hitting for the retiring Miguel Rojas), Andy Pages singled to center to score Tucker. One batter later, Shohei Ohtani launched a towering home run into the right field pavilions to put the Dodgers ahead 4-0. That was the Dodgers only home run of the series and the first home run for Ohtani since August 18. You would have thought that that would have been plenty to spark the Dodgers and give them some renewed life in this series, or at least get them to tomorrow’s game 5. The Dodgers would not score again the rest of the game.
Unfortunately, Dodger pitching can’t throw strikes, starters or relievers and melted down. Dodger’s starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow was dominating through the first three frames, but Milwaukee figured him out second time through the order. They did that to the other Dodger starters throughout the series. Glasnow had five punch-outs through the first three innings, then in the top of the fourth, Brice Turang walked and back-to-back doubles from Contreras and Bauers made it 4-2. In the top of the fifth, with one out Sal Frelick walked, stole second and scored on a David Hamilton RBI single. That was it for Glasnow, who was removed for Evan Phillips. But the pain continued. After a Jackson Chourio line out, Hamilton stole third. There was an intentional walk to Turang, an unintentional walk to Contreras to load the bases. Alex Vesia comes in and walks Bauers to force in a run which ties the game at 4-4.
Then in the top of the sixth, Garrett Mitchell leads off with a solo home run off of Tanner Scott to put Milwaukee ahead 5-4. The Dodgers would get one extra-base hit in the next three consecutive innings and not score one of them. In the bottom of the sixth, kyle Tucker doubles, But Teo grounds out and Jojo Romero strikes out Muncy.
In the bottom of the seventh, Aaron Ashby gives up a double to Pages. Then the Dodgers have Kike bunt him to third for some reason. Ohtani strikes out, Mookie Betts grounds out. In the bottom of the eighth, Will Smith doubles into the right field corner and goes to third on a fielding error by Sal Frelick. Of course Tucker pops out, and Teo strikes out. The Brewers added one more in the top of the ninth off of Edwin Diaz, with Hamilton homering to right. It’s 6-4 Brewers, and it’s over. Ashby finished it off, getting Kike Hernandez to line out to left to end the series.
There’s not much more to say at this point. The Dodgers sill had a successful season winning 100 games, winning the NL West, and having another deep postseason run. We have been pretty spoiled over the last 6 years. The Dodgers have won five National league pennants and three World Series championships, including back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025. They won’t win the World Series this year, but they will be back again next year. Let’s be grateful for the championship runs we’ve been able to watch and the parades that were so lit.
I want to thank everyone who has commented or read LADR this season. I also want to thank Clay for his contributions as well. The Dodgers may be done this year, but we’ll be back soon.
We looked at strikes down the middle and then wrings pitches out side of the strike zone.
Agreed. But one comment. You say Kiké bunted, for some reason. That was EXACTLY how the Brewers won all year. Moving runners along. Don’t give it such short shrift. It works.
Very disappointing. It is not surprising however. Given the way the team played in August and September you could see this coming and it is a miracle we got this far. .
I will be very curious to see what AF does this off season.