
The Milwaukee Brewers have put the defending champions in a difficult position. Now the Los Angeles Dodgers return home needing a response.
Milwaukee won Monday’s Game 2 by a 7–4 score to take a 2–0 lead in the National League Championship Series. William Contreras delivered a tying home run in the fifth inning and a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth, helping the Brewers finish with 12 hits.
For bettors, Game 3 presents a different challenge. Los Angeles is favored at home with Blake Snell listed opposite Milwaukee’s Robert Gasser, but the Dodgers’ offensive struggles make backing the favorite less straightforward than the pitching matchup suggests.
My early lean is toward Los Angeles getting its first victory of the series, with the moneyline offering a better approach than asking the Dodgers to win by multiple runs.
Category Details Matchup Milwaukee Brewers vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Game NLCS Game 3 DateWednesday, October 14, 2026First pitch8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT / 5:00 p.m. PT Stadium Dodger Stadium, Los AngelesTVFS1Series status Brewers lead 2–0Milwaukee probable pitcher Robert Gasser, LHP Los Angeles probable pitcher Blake Snell, LHP
Gasser and Snell were the listed probable pitchers when checked Tuesday morning. Confirm the matchup before first pitch.
Market Milwaukee Brewers Los Angeles DodgersMoneyline+153-156Run line+1.5 (-144)-1.5 (+138) Total runs Over 7.5 (+104) Under 7.5 (-106)
Odds shown are the Novig prices displayed by StatMuse when checked Tuesday morning, October 13. Lines can change before first pitch.
Milwaukee’s strongest argument is that it has already demonstrated several ways to win this matchup.
The Brewers took a tight opener and then answered Los Angeles repeatedly in Game 2. Their relief pitchers did not allow a hit over the final five innings Monday, preventing the Dodgers from mounting another response.
That gives Milwaukee a credible path even if Gasser does not pitch deep into Wednesday’s game.
Gasser finished the regular season with a 3.87 ERA across 109⅓ innings and a 1.67 ERA over his final six starts. However, his two regular-season starts against Los Angeles produced seven earned runs allowed across 10⅔ innings.
Those results create a balanced picture. His recent form deserves respect, but the Dodgers have previously found opportunities against him.
Milwaukee’s offensive approach against Snell should emphasize patience. Making him throw strikes can increase his pitch count and create scoring chances without requiring a string of extra-base hits.
At +153, the Brewers offer an appealing underdog return. The concern is whether Gasser can prevent Los Angeles from building an early lead before Milwaukee turns to its bullpen.
The strongest reason to back Los Angeles is Snell’s ability to miss bats and limit damage.
He posted a 1.90 ERA with 55 strikeouts across 42⅔ regular-season innings. The smaller workload matters when interpreting that ERA, but his strikeout ability gives the Dodgers a legitimate foundation for Game 3.
Command remains the concern. In his NLDS start against Atlanta, Snell walked five batters across 3⅔ innings while allowing one run. He escaped major damage, but that level of inefficiency would be difficult to rely on against Milwaukee.
The Dodgers also need more offense. They scored four runs Monday despite collecting only three hits, then went quiet against Milwaukee’s relievers.
Returning home creates an opportunity, but Los Angeles still has to improve its at-bats. Productive contact, disciplined swings and sustained innings matter more than expecting the lineup’s reputation to produce a breakthrough.
My preference is the moneyline. Milwaukee has played well enough to keep this close, making the -1.5 run line a more demanding selection.
The main risk is another strong pitching effort being undermined by insufficient offensive support.
These are betting leans. Confirm starting lineups, available markets and prices before selecting a prop.
Snell is my preferred pitching-prop target.
An alternate six-strikeout selection offers a lower threshold than the displayed 6.5 market, although its price must be checked separately. His ability to miss bats supports the selection, but walks and long innings could shorten his outing.
Compare both thresholds before choosing.
Betts offers a straightforward way to back a Dodgers hitter without requiring a home run or multiple total bases.
Against the left-handed Gasser, I prefer considering a single-hit market before moving to a more aggressive selection. Betts may also receive opportunities against Milwaukee’s relievers.
The price matters: a heavily juiced hit prop can offer limited value even for a strong player.
Contreras is my preferred Milwaukee hitter to consider.
His Game 2 performance helped put the Brewers in control, but this selection should be evaluated against Snell rather than treated as an automatic continuation of Monday’s success.
A single-hit prop keeps the requirement manageable. Confirm his starting spot and compare the available price.
Pages is another Los Angeles option worth considering if the price is reasonable.
The single-hit market allows an ordinary single to cash and avoids requiring an extra-base performance. His confirmed batting-order position should also be considered because an additional plate appearance can make a meaningful difference.
Check the lineup before committing.
Snell must limit walks. Free baserunners would increase his workload and give Milwaukee opportunities without requiring hard contact.
Los Angeles must produce against Gasser. Allowing him to settle in could leave the Dodgers facing another difficult assignment against the Brewers’ bullpen.
Milwaukee must protect outs. Clean defense would help Gasser manage his innings and keep the game within reach.
My early pick is Dodgers moneyline at -156.
Snell gives Los Angeles a strong pitching foundation, and Gasser’s previous difficulties against the Dodgers support expecting enough offense for a narrow victory. Milwaukee’s bullpen and recent execution keep this from being a high-confidence selection.
For the total, I lean under 7.5 at -106. That requires Snell to improve his command and both teams to avoid giving away scoring opportunities.
Final prediction: Los Angeles wins 4–3 and cuts Milwaukee’s NLCS lead to 2–1.

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