The Milwaukee Brewers took a 1-0 lead in the NLCS after defeating the Dodgers 2-1 in Game 1, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto set to start Game 2 for Los Angeles on October 12, 2026.
The Milwaukee Brewers extended their playoff advantage over the Los Angeles Dodgers, seizing a 1-0 series lead after a 2-1 victory in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) on October 12, 2026. The Brewers will aim to cement their advantage when they host Game 2 at American Family Field, with right-hander Logan Henderson opposing the Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Game 2 Lineups and Strategy
The Dodgers made a strategic adjustment, dropping catcher Will Smith two spots in the lineup for Game 2 of the NLCS, flip-flopping him with Teoscar Hernández, while manager Dave Roberts emphasized the need to “reset” after the loss. We've just got to reset,
Roberts said, vowing to rely on Yamamoto, who has a 2.14 ERA in 11 postseason appearances. The Brewers, meanwhile, brought Christian Yelich back into the starting lineup against the right-handed Yamamoto.
Henderson, the 24-year-old rookie, has yet to allow more than three runs in a single start in his career. The Brewers are relying on the group of left-handers DL Hall and Aaron Ashby and right-handers Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill, and why not? They have accumulated just one unearned run in 19 2/3 innings during the postseason so far.
In Game 1, the Brewers used relievers.
Broadcast Details and Viewer Access
Game 2 will air on Fox, with streaming options available via YouTube TV, Fubo, Fox One and more. The game, scheduled for 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. today, Monday, Oct. 12, in Milwaukee. The Brewers’ home-field advantage comes with the added pressure of facing a Dodgers team where the Dodgers have won all but one of Yamamoto’s 11 postseason appearances.
For viewers without cable, DIRECTV offers a five-day free trial to access the game. The NLCS schedule includes Games 5, 6, and 7, with the final game tentatively set for Monday, Oct. 19, at 8 p.m. ET.
Player Updates and Quotes
Will Smith, who has struggled at the plate, acknowledged his slump but remained confident: I felt really good the last month, the last couple weeks, especially,
Dodgers catcher Will Smith told reporters before Game 2. So I’ll be fine.
Meanwhile, Christian Yelich’s return to the lineup provided a boost for Milwaukee’s offense.
Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani remained a focal point, with manager Roberts expressing confidence. The Brewers’ Logan Henderson, meanwhile, drew praise, with a teammate noting his composure under pressure. I don’t know what the secret sauce is, man, but he’s in the clubhouse now chopping it up with some of the guys like he doesn’t have one of the biggest starts of his life tonight.
William Contreras, the Brewers’ player, has reached base in four of five postseason games. His regular-season stats include a .270 batting average, 18 home runs, and 94 RBI in 147 games. Contreras’ performance in the postseason included a 3 for 4 outing with a home run at San Diego on Oct. 6.
Strategic Stakes in the NLCS Series
This NLCS matchup marks a series in which the Brewers are aiming to secure a 2-0 series lead in an LCS for the first time in franchise history. With the series tied at 1-0, Game 2 carries immense weight, as the Brewers seek to build on their lead.
The Brewers’ current postseason success includes winning the first two games in Milwaukee against the San Diego Padres in the 2026 NLDS. The Dodgers, meanwhile, advanced after playing the Braves in the NLDS, with Yamamoto throwing seven innings of one-run ball against the Braves in the NLDS last week.
The Brewers’ bullpen has been a key factor in their postseason success, posting a 0.38 ERA in the first five games. Their relievers have restricted opponents to a .163 batting average in 23 2/3 innings, ranked third in the list of the lowest marks across a team’s first five playoff games (minimum 15 innings).
The Dodgers’ injury updates include Ohtani (right biceps, left knee) and Freeman (right knee), who are managing lingering injuries.
As the game approaches, fans await a moment that could define the 2026 postseason. The Brewers’ defense of their home field and the Dodgers’ resilience in the face of adversity will shape the narrative, with both teams aware that a single game could alter the trajectory of their playoff journey.