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Dodgers got Tarik Skubal for this moment. But Cy Young ace 'didn't do my job' | Opinion

MILWAUKEE — This isn't why the Los Angeles Dodgers got Tarik Skubal.

The Dodgers outbid everyone else interested, including the Milwaukee Brewers, because they thought the two-time Cy Young Award winner would deliver them a third consecutive World Series title. They gave up three highly touted prospects to get Skubal because, when you're the Dodgers, the future doesn't matter nearly as much as the present.

What Los Angeles didn't do was get Skubal to lose Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, giving those Brewers their first postseason win over the Dodgers since 2018. It was only Skubal's second loss in the postseason, and first since the 2024 ALDS.

"I didn't do my job," Skubal said after taking the loss in Milwaukee's 2-1 win over the Dodgers on Sunday, Oct. 11. "Anytime we lose and it's 2-1, I didn't do my job."

Tarik Skubal took the loss in Game 1.

Harsh as it might be to say, Skubal is right. Though the Dodgers have rallied after losing a Game 1 before — they lost the first game of the World Series last year and look how that turned out — there's a reason he was on the mound to start this series.

Skubal was 3-1 with a 1.97 ERA in his previous seven postseason starts, including a win in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves. He'd never gone fewer than six innings in a playoff game or thrown fewer than 84 pitches. Since joining the Dodgers on Aug. 2, Skubal was 5-2, and Los Angeles had won his last seven starts.

If Los Angeles wanted to send the Brewers a message that their 103-win regular season was nice and all but they shouldn't expect this postseason matchup to be different than their others, Skubal was the guy to do it.

Except he wasn't.

Jacob Misiorowski, Milwaukee's young ace, didn't have his best stuff, giving up an RBI single to Andy Pages in the second inning after issuing a leadoff walk to Shohei Ohtani. But Misiorowski and the Brewers bullpen managed to limit the damage from there, allowing the Dodgers only three runners in scoring position over the last six innings.

The Brewers, meanwhile, got sharper against Skubal the more they saw him.

In Skubal's first run through the Milwaukee lineup, he had six strikeouts while allowing just one hit. In his final two innings, he gave up two runs on four hits while walking two and striking out one.

"I thought my stuff was just as good as it was early and late," Skubal said. "They just put the ball in play later in the game."

The Brewers tied the game in the fourth, when Brice Turang led off with a homer on a 2-0 pitch. In the fifth inning, Skubal gave up a leadoff walk to Garrett Mitchell, who took second on Cooper Pratt's sacrifice bunt and scored on Luis Lara's single to center.

After Joey Ortiz grounded out, the Brewers loaded the bases on a single by Jackson Churio and a walk by Turang. William Contreras flew out to right to end the inning, but the damage had been done. Alex Vesia relieved Skubal in the sixth inning.

"A leadoff walk just can't happen," said Skubal, who threw 81 pitches in five innings. "Leadoff walk in that inning and then you give them the ability to bunt the ball over. Then all they need is a base hit and they got it. I think I did a good job of limiting damage that inning, but the leadoff walk just can't happen. It gives them an opportunity to create something, and ultimately that's all they needed today."

Scattering two runs on five hits would be good enough in most games. But not against a team as opportunistic as the Brewers.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start Game 2 for the Dodgers, and he's about as good of a second option as there is. He's 8-1 in the postseason overall and has won his last five starts, including a 5-1 win over the Brewers in Game 2 of last year's NLCS.

But Yamamoto was supposed to be locking the door on Milwaukee after Skubal had closed it, not making sure the Dodgers don't head back to Los Angeles in an 0-2 hole.

"We feel good with our guy," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "You can't go into a long series against a team that has the best record in baseball and expect to just win four. It's going to be a long series. We knew it coming in. We had our chances, but they made plays, pitches when they needed to. We've just got to reset.

"We've got our guy going tomorrow, who we trust undoubtedly, and we've got to win a baseball game."

That's what the Dodgers thought about Skubal, too. Look what it got them.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers got Tarik Skubal for this moment. But Cy Young ace 'didn't do my job' | Opinion

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Freddie Freeman gets real on Dodgers’ deflating NLCS Game 1 loss to Brewers

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Dodgers players watch from the dugout during a game, Image 2 shows Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang celebrates his solo home run as Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman looks on, Image 3 shows Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy flips his bat in frustration

The Dodgers dropped Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.

The Brewers needed just two runs to beat the Dodgers Sunday. While two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal outlasted NL Cy Young candidate Jacob Misiorowski on the mound, the Dodgers offense managed just a single run.

But Freddie Freeman isn’t worried.

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang celebrates his solo home run as Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman looks on. AP Photo/Kyla Wolf

“Any loss in the playoffs is not great, but it’s a long series. It’s just the first game,” he said.

The Dodgers appear to have the edge in starting pitching, but Skubal’s five innings wasn’t enough to fend off the Brewers. Milwaukee won Game 1 and it could be argued the Dodgers didn’t exactly help themselves in the series opener.

The Dodgers were 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left nine runners on base. Had LA capitalized on any one of those moments, the Dodgers likely would have won the game.

Los Angeles Dodgers players watch during the ninth inning of Game 1 of baseball’s National League Championship Series. AP Photo/Ashley Landis
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy flips his bat after popping out during the ninth inning of Game 1 of baseball’s National League Championship Series. AP Photo/Ashley Landis

The back-to-back World Series champions are already putting the past behind them and have their sights set on Game 2.

“We got to focus on the task at hand, and that’s winning the game tomorrow,” Betts said.

The Dodgers deploy World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto as their Game 2 starter, giving them their best chance to take a game at American Family Field.

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In battle of aces, Dodgers flinch first as Brewers win Game 1 of NLCS

Milwaukee Brewers
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 11: Brice Turang #2 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates a home run with William Contreras #24 of the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the National League Championship Series at American Family Field on October 11, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Unsurprisingly, in a battle of two aces, Jacob Misiorowski and Tarik Skubal, the expected NL Cy Young winner and the two-time reigning AL Cy Young winner, runs were hard to come by in this pitchers’ duel. But ultimately, in Game 1 of the NLCS, the Brewers came out on top 2-1.

The Dodgers struck first against Misiorowski. Shohei Ohtani drew a leadoff walk, then Teoscar Hernandez singled. With one out, Andy Pages slapped a ground ball single through the right side to bring home Ohtani and give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.

Misiorowski did not have his best stuff in this game. He hit 104 MPH once, but the vertical break on his fastball was down a couple inches and the command wasn’t there as he walked three on the night. Still, he battled and was able to induce a 6-4-3 double play to end that 2nd inning.

Then, drama.

In the 4th inning, Teoscar Hernandez danced a little too far off of first base, Misiorowski stepped off, spun around, and calmly threw to first to get Hernandez out, seemingly ending the inning. However, home plate umpire Edwin Moscoso called a balk on Misiorowski. Pat Murphy was emphatically upset at the call.

Misiorowski ended up striking out Kyle Tucker to end the inning, so no harm was truly done. Miz was emotional coming off the mound, and the Brewers appeared to have a fire lit under them after that. Immediately after, to leadoff the bottom of the 4th, Brice Turang slugged his first home run of the postseason.

That tied the game at 1-1 and cemented momentum in the Brewers favor.

“Yeah, I didn’t want to foul a ball off my knee again, so I was like I’m going to stay inside of this one. Not try to do too much, just drive back up the middle and get inside of it. Yeah, I just got it. Just trying to stay inside of it, drive it up the middle, and sometimes less is more.” Turang said.

The Brewers would keep it going in the 5th after Garrett Mitchell led off the inning with a walk, then was moved over on a sacrifice bunt from Cooper Pratt. That perfectly set up Luis Lara to give the Brewers the lead.

At just 21 years old and the youngest player on the team, Lara came through when his team needed him the most.

“(Lara) is very committed to team. He’s very committed to not letting his teammates down, and I think that’s what makes the guy special at this point. Both him and Pratt are up here not knowing they were going to be in the Big Leagues, and they are both very conscientious about getting it done the right way. They’re more concerned about not letting their teammates down than not letting a national audience down.” Murphy said.

“Really I was just looking to push the runner across. That was the only thing that was going through my mind. That’s what I’m focused on in that moment is just finding a way to connect, put the ball in play, and find a way for the run to score. Thanks to God I was able to do that.” Lara said.

The Brewers had an opportunity to bring in some insurance runs in that inning. Jackson Chourio followed with a single, then Brice Turang drew a walk, loading the bases with two outs for William Contreras. However, Contreras flew out to deep right to end the threat.

The Brewers had a few more chances to add on, but were unable to capitalize. Jake Bauers was picked off first by Alex Vesia in the 6th on what clearly should’ve been called a balk. Vesia’s stride was towards home and far beyond the 45 degree angle that’s allowed. Yet it was not called.

Then in the 8th, Chourio led things off with a single. The Dodgers then brought in $72MM reliever Tanner Scott and refused to allow him to face a single right-handed batter. They intentionally walked William Contreras to face Jake Bauers, and then intentionally walked Andrew Vaughn to face Garrett Mitchell. Mitchell grounded out to end the inning and leave it a 2-1 Brewers lead heading into the 9th.

Trevor Megill was called upon to lock things down once again, and he was able to deliver, albeit with a little bit of stress. After inducing an infield fly and a flyout, Megill walked the 8th and 9th hitters for the Dodgers to turn the lineup over to Mookie Betts. Betts flew out to deep center to end the game and Garrett Mitchell caught it and celebrated with an emphatic fist pump.

The Brewers will not be swept out of the NLCS this year. They have taken the 1-0 series lead and are now three wins away from reaching the World Series.

For the Brewers to accomplish their goal, they’ll need to win the games started by Misiorowski. They were able to accomplish that and have now set themselves up with a chance to take a 2-0 series lead with Game 2 on Monday afternoon. It’ll be Logan Henderson on the mound for the Crew while Brewers killer Yoshinobu Yamamoto is on the mound for the Dodgers.

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Dodgers NLCS player grades: Tarik Skubal makes too many mistakes in Game 1 loss

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a fly ball against the Milwaukee Brewers during the National League Championship Series, Image 2 shows Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal adjusts his cap on the pitcher's mound

MILWAUKEE –– Grading the performance of every Dodgers player from the 2-1 loss against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series:

Mookie Betts: B

Hit a single in the third. Drew a walk in the fifth. And was denied another potential hit by Brice Turang to open the game. All in all, more good at-bats from the leadoff spot.

Freddie Freeman: C

Hit a trademark opposite-field single off Jacob Misiorowski in the first, but also a double-play grounder that ended the fifth inning four pitches after Misiorowski’s exit.

Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a fly ball during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1. Getty Images

Will Smith: D

After an ugly 1-for-16 performance in the NLDS, Smith rolled into an inning-ending double-play in the first, then weakly flied out his next two times. He finally reached base with a walk in the eighth, but it might be time for him to move down in the lineup.

Shohei Ohtani: B

Drew a four-pitch walk in his first at-bat. Then sliced a looping single the other way in the sixth. Still doesn’t look like himself. But has reached safely in all five games this postseason.

Teoscar Hernández: B

Epitomized the Dodgers’ approach against Misiorowski with a pair of singles the other way early on. But didn’t do anything against a couple relievers. Not that he was alone on that.

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy flips his bat after popping out during the ninth inning. AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Max Muncy: D

Had a sixth-inning single, but also struck out twice. Also booted a grounder at third that helped create a bases-loaded jam in the fifth, ultimately contributing to Tarik Skubal’s early exit from the game. 

Andy Pages: B

Drove in the game’s first run with an opposite-field single in the second. But left runners stranded on the corners in the sixth, whiffing on a 99 mph fastball from Abner Uribe.

Kyle Tucker: B

Worked an impressive 10-pitch walk in the Dodgers’ second-inning rally, then another free pass that briefly delayed defeat with two outs in the ninth. Struck out twice in between, though.

Kiké Hernández: D

Hit into first, and most costly, double-play of the night with the bases loaded in the second. Overall, finished 0-for-3 and also had some shaky moments at second base.

Josue De Paula: B+

Came off the bench again for a pinch-hit at-bat in the ninth and drew a walk. Once again, an October moment wasn’t too big for him.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal adjusts his cap after giving up a run during the fifth inning. AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Tarik Skubal: C-

Was dominant early, striking out six of first nine batters (including three on three pitches). But gave up a home run to Brice Turang after falling behind in the count in the fourth. Then paid for a leadoff walk in the fifth, which allowed the Brewers to play some #BrewerBall (sac bunt, RBI single). First time in his playoff career he didn’t complete six innings.

Alex Vesia: B+

Walked the leadoff man in the sixth, but recovered by picking him off and striking out the next two batters.

Evan Phillips: B+

Struck out the side in the seventh in his first full inning of work this postseason. Then returned for the eighth but was quickly replaced after a leadoff single. Still, he has looked sharp so far this October.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tanner Scott throws during the eighth inning of Game 1. AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Tanner Scott: A

Got out of an eighth-inning jam by retiring a couple lefties (amid Dave Roberts intentionally walking two righties to risk a bases-loaded jam).

Dave Roberts: B

His offense had the right approach, and he pressed the right buttons with his bullpen. But there was nothing he could do about the offense’s missed chances.

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Preseason Game Preview: Knicks vs. Timberwolves, October 12, 2026

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 23: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks handles the ball against Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter at Target Center on December 23, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Knicks 115-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The World Champion New York Knicks have lost their first two preseason games and we are resoundingly unconcerned. Winning all the marbles has quite a calming effect on the nervous system.

Tonight, they host the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-1) at Madison Square Garden. The furry bunch has shed Julius Randle and Naz Reid, but added LaMelo Ball and Jonathan Kuminga. If nothing else, it’s a team to watch for curiosity’s sake. In this tilt, the Knicks will be challenged to play at a faster pace, with Ball and Anthony Edwards playing full-tilt and Kuminga adding vertical spacing. Then again, all of Minny’s starters are listed as day-to-day for rest, so this could look more like a scrimmage with a G League squad.

They last met December 23, 2025, when the Timberwolves won 115-104 in Minneapolis. Edwards scored 38 and Randle added 25; Karl-Anthony Towns poured in 40 for the Knicks with Jalen Brunson sidelined with an ankle issue.

Minnesota finished last season with a 116.8 offensive rating (12th) and 113.5 defensive rating (8th), scoring 118 points per game. Edwards remains the engine, scoring 28-plus points a night; Rudy Gobert still anchors the paint and owns the glass; and Jaden McDaniels supplies wing defense and secondary scoring.

New York is still searching for continuity after two losses. The starters have played limited minutes while they ramp up to full-game shape following their summer of love. Meanwhile, coach Mike Brown’s been mixing and matching the supporting cast as he seeks to lock down his roster. On the injury report, McCullar Jr., Agbaji, Eubanks and Bradley are listed as coach’s decisions, so James Wiseman and Bruce Brown should see more gametime off the bench.

Prediction

The Knicks should win if they control the glass, limit Minnesota’s transition, and get make their shots. If coach Chris Finch rests everybody, the Knicks should have an even easier time securing their first dub of the preseason. Knicks by nine.

Game Details

Who: New York Knicks (0-2) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (2-1)
Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Place: Madison Square Garden, NYC, NY
TV: MSG
Follow: @ptknicksblog and bsky

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NBA Should Make The Pistons Daytime Opening Game a New Tradition

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 5: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons handles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns during a preseason game on October 5, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

It’s been proven time and time again that Detroit knows how to turn an opening day into an unofficial holiday. This article can be considered my unofficial campaign to give the Detroit Pistons the same treatment. 

Pistons fans (and NBA league office), walk with me for a minute.

In case you haven’t heard, it’ll be a matinee start on Oct. 20 for the Pistons, with Detroit and the Boston Celtics officially tipping off the NBA season at 3 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock. So check your schedules, because the Pistons and Celtics will likely have settled things by the time most of the workforce starts their evening commute. 

I, for one, am completely here for this new format for a number of reasons. Being the first game of the year during an isolated time slot gives the Pistons a chance to highlight their young and ascending roster. It also gives the city of Detroit a chance to showcase itself on a national stage as the only game taking place in the afternoon. 

A weekday afternoon tipoff could be a tough ask for some working fans. But I also see an opportunity for a revitalized fanbase to build something worth planning around. Let’s also remember it is not uncommon for other sports to have a daytime game during their opening week. Professional baseball and college basketball have successfully used the daytime opening-day format for many years, so this is not entirely uncharted territory.

Though it likely won’t draw the crowds and hooplah of their baseball opening day counterparts, here is hoping (or maybe wishful thinking) that Detroit fans will come out in earnest, and that the Pistons and the NBA can partner together and embark on a new, longstanding tradition for opening day. Let’s make the afternoon opening game an annual tradition for the league and make Detroit its permanent home. Who says no?

Imagine Detroiters playing hookie for a half day, and local gathering spots such as Campus Martius, Tin Roof, or Harry’s packed with fans, with the party spilling out all over Woodward and beyond. It’d be an atmosphere all the same as Tigers opening day, but with a better bet for good weather. And if you’re a Detroit sports fan, what’s not to like? Fans would get to essentially start and end the summer with an electric opening day for two of your four professional sports teams, not to mention a built-in half-day off of work. 

Anyways, enough of me dreaming. 

The city has a chance to replicate some of the magic that the Tigers’ opening day has supplied over the years, a pseudo-holiday in these parts.

Leave the primetime games for the New Yorks and the Golden States of the world. We’re good over here. 

Adam Silver, if you’re reading this, please make this a yearly reservation. 

Pistons fans, let’s show up and make this new opening day the start of something special. 

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Top Prospects Shine in Two Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Blowout Wins This Weekend

The AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins lost their first two games of the 2026-27 season before quickly putting those losses behind them this weekend. 

They earned their first win on Saturday, crushing the Hartford Wolf Pack 7-1, and it was the Bill Zonnon show. Zonnon scored twice in the second period and added an assist in the win. 

He made that first goal happen, leading the rush early in the second period before collecting the puck behind the net and stuffing it home. 

Zonnon's second goal came from the net-front when he banged home a rebound off a pass from Mikhail Ilyin along the left well. 

Atley Calvert, Avery Hayes, Tanner Howe, Mikhail Ilyin, and Owen Pickering also scored in the win. 

The fun continued on Sunday with a 6-2 win for WBS over the Providence Bruins. Zonnon notched his third goal of the season less than a minute into the middle frame. He came streaking down the left side and fired an absolute laser past the Bruins goaltender. 

Zonnon has three goals and five points in four games.

Phil Kemp, Tristan Broz, Oliver Okuliar, and Rutger McGroarty (two goals) also scored for WBS in this game. 

Speaking of McGroarty, he was fantastic in this game, adding two assists to his two goals. He saw the ice extremely well, and forechecked his butt off. His second goal was a thing of beauty: he took a lead pass on the left side and made a gorgeous forehand-to-backhand move before elevating the puck to the top shelf of the net. 

McGroarty may not be with the NHL club right now, but there will come a time when he is needed this season. When that happens, he'll do everything he can to make sure he never goes back down to the AHL. 

WBS is now 2-1-1-0 and will play the Cleveland Monsters in their next two games this Friday and Saturday. 

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!  

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Ex-Penguin Handed Controversial Punishment For Spear

It's no mystery to anyone that the NHL's Department of Player Safety has a long history of inconsistency when it comes to handing out discipline to players. 

And, on Saturday, a former Pittsburgh Penguin was involved in a play that many thought was suspension-worthy.

New Jersey Devils forward Evan Rodrigues - who played for the Penguins from 2019-2022 - was approaching the faceoff dot with Vancouver Canucks center Marco Rossi during the Saturday tilt between the teams. Prior to the draw at center ice, Rossi gave Rodrigues a nudge on the shoulder with his right hand, and in response, Rodrigues speared Rossi in the throat.

On Sunday, the Department of Player Safety fined the 33-year-old Rodrigues $5,000, which is the maximum allowable under the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). He received a spearing penalty on the initial play, but upon review, it was reduced to a double-minor.

The video shows Rodrigues making a distinct spearing motion right at Rossi's throat, which is why many thought both the double-minor and the $5,000 fine was not nearly enough. However, on the other side of the spectrum, some thought Rossi went down rather easily.

At the end of the day, though, there is a precedent for intentional stick plays with the intent to injure. For example, Penguins' forward Evgeni Malkin received a four-game suspension during the 2021-22 season for a cross-check to the face of Nashville Predators' defenseman Mark Borowiecki, and he was assessed a five-game suspension last season for a slash to the face of Rasmus Dahlin. 

Although those cross-checks and slashes may appear more violent - and they were - spears have a history of automatic punishment because of the intentionality behind them. For example, defenseman Tony DeAngelo and forward Brad Marchand have both been suspended for spears in the past, and neither were to the neck or head of an opponent.

Was the double-minor and the fine was enough for Rodrigues, or should it have been more than that? How much did Rossi's reaction affect the ruling? Join The Pittsburgh Penguins Roundtable Community and leave a comment to join the discussion. 

Former Penguins Defenseman Retires After 13 NHL SeasonsFormer Penguins Defenseman Retires After 13 NHL SeasonsThis former Penguins defenseman is calling it a career.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!   

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Brewers vs. Dodgers: When is NLCS Game 2?

The Los Angeles Dodgers will look to rebound from the 2-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series on Oct. 11.

Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal spent more time on the mound in the battle with Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, but it was the runs that Skubal allowed that made the difference in the game. 

Skubal struck out seven and allowed five hits, but it was two earned runs against him that made the difference. Misiorowski pitched 4⅓ innings, allowed five hits and one earned run while striking out five.

The Brewers managed to overcome the early run scored by the Dodgers in the top of the second inning. Brice Turang hit a solo home run 384 feet into left center field in the fourth inning. Luis Lara followed it up with a single to center field in the bottom of the fifth that brought in Garrett Mitchell.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be the Game 2 starter for the Dodgers. Logan Henderson will be on the mound for the Brewers. Here’s when they will play:

When is Dodgers vs Brewers Game 2? How to watch

  • Time: 5 p.m. ET
  • TV channel: Fox
  • Live stream: Fubo and Fox One

Watch the MLB playoffs on Fubo

NLCS schedule for Dodgers vs Brewers

Sunday, Oct. 11

NLCS Game 1: Brewers 2, Dodgers 1

Monday, Oct. 12

NLCS Game 2: Dodgers at Brewers, 5 p.m. ET, Fox, FS1, Fox One & Fox Deportes

Wednesday, Oct. 14

NLCS Game 3: Brewers at Dodgers, 8 p.m. ET, FS1, Fox One & Fox Deportes

Thursday, Oct. 15

NLCS Game 4: Brewers at Dodgers, 9 p.m. ET, FS1, Fox One & Fox Deportes

Friday, Oct. 16

NLCS Game 5*: Brewers at Dodgers, 9 p.m. ET, FS1, Fox One & Fox Deportes

Sunday, Oct. 18

NLCS Game 6*: Dodgers at Brewers, 8 p.m. ET, FS1, Fox One & Fox Deportes

Monday, Oct. 19

NLCS Game 7*: Dodgers at Brewers, 8 p.m. ET, Fox, FS1, Fox One & Fox Deportes

(*if necessary)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brewers vs. Dodgers: When is NLCS Game 2?

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Dodgers are in for a fight — and Brewers just proved it

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy flips his bat after popping out during the ninth inning of Game 1 of baseball's National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Image 2 shows Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang celebrates his home run as Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman looks on, Image 3 shows Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski celebrates during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers

MILWAUKEE – The Dodgers have a fight on their hands.

In their 2-1 defeat to the Brewers at American Family Field on Sunday night, the Dodgers were shown what they’re in for in this National League Championship Series.

The Blue-Collar Brewers claimed Game 1 by doing what they did in their 103-win regular season.

They leveraged their bullpen.

They bunted the go-ahead runner into scoring position.

They played clean defense.

Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell scores on a base hit by Luis Lara as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith looks away during the fifth inning. AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Here’s what they didn’t do: They didn’t roll over the way they did last year when the Dodgers swept them in four games at this stage of the postseason.

“You can’t go into a long series against a team that has the best record in baseball and expect to just win in four (games),” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It’s going to be a long series. We knew it coming in.”

The Brewers played with an edge they didn’t have a year ago, the team’s attitude vocalized before the game by their manager and spirit animal, Pat Murphy.

Speaking about Dodgers starter Tarik Skubal, Murphy said, “I just want to step on his throat, do you know what I mean? I mean that respectfully because I really like Tarik, but I just want to beat him.”

Murphy was joking, but he wasn’t.

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang celebrates his solo home run as Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman looks on during the fourth inning. AP Photo/Kyla Wolf

The Brewers didn’t exactly step on Skubal’s throat. What they did was more like pinch him into submission, as they tied the game on a Brice Turang homer in the fourth inning and moved ahead on a run they manufactured in the fifth.

Somehow, that was enough for them to win the game on a night in which the Dodgers were able to do to likely Cy Young Award winner Jacob Misiorowski what they did to Braves ace Chris Sale in the previous round.

The Dodgers ran up Misiorowski’s pitch count and forced him out of the game after just 4 ⅓ innings, but they couldn’t break the fireballer.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski celebrates the end of the fourth inning. AP Photo/Abbie Parr

The second inning was the Dodgers’ most productive inning – but also the most frustrating.

Shohei Ohtani started the inning by drawing a four-pitch walk and advancing to second base on a single by Teoscar Hernández. He was driven in by another single, this one by Andy Pages. 

Kyle Tucker followed up with a 10-pitch walk to load the bases with one out, and that brought up Kiké Hernández, who worked a seven-pitch at-bat that ended with an inning-ending double play.

Misiorowski threw 35 pitches in that inning alone, but the Dodgers had only one run to show for it.

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill celebrates after Game 1. AP Photo/Abbie Parr

The Dodgers extracted a price for the defeat, however, as Misiorowski’s fifth-inning departure resulted in the Brewers using four relievers, including their best three.

“Hopefully in a long series it could prove to be beneficial the more times we see them,” Roberts said.

As dependent as the Brewers were on their bullpen in the regular season, they are even more so now.

Outside of Misiorowski, they have only one other pitcher capable of making traditional starts in the postseason, rookie Logan Henderson.

But the 24-year-old Henderson is by no means an old-school workhorse. In each of his last three regular-season starts, he pitched five innings. In his postseason debut against the San Diego Padres in the Divisional Round, he pitched five innings.

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy flips his bat after popping out during the ninth inning. AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Beyond that, they have right-hander Dustin May and left-hander Robert Gasser. May lasted only three innings in his NLDS start. Gasser wasn’t much better, pitching four.

With the majority of the innings expected to be pitched by the bullpen, the Brewers were likely hoping to minimize the group’s exposure in a game started by Misirowski. The more their high-leverage relievers pitch, the more fatigued they will be later in the series and the more the Dodgers’ hitters will become familiar with them.

DL Hall finished the fifth inning, after which Murphy turned the game over to the Big Three of the Brewers’ bullpen.

Abner Uribe, the team’s second-best reliever, pitched the sixth. 

Aaron Ashby, who pitched the second-most relief innings in the majors during the regular season, covered the seventh and eighth.

Closer Trevor Megill took care of the ninth.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani scores a run during the second inning. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The Brewers will have to run this back three more times over the next eight days, which will be extraordinarily difficult against a team with as much experience and depth as the Dodgers.

Can the Brewers take this across the finish line?

Whether they can or not, they promise to scratch and claw until the final out of the series is recorded. The Dodgers know that.

“We didn’t necessarily expect a sweep,” Kiké Hernández said. “It’s gonna be a good series.”

A series that will probably end up back at American Family Field for Game 6, perhaps even Game 7.

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Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown ignore each other in awkward Celtics-76ers pregame scene

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown takes a shot prior to a preseason NBA basketball game against his former team, the Boston Celtics, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Boston.

During Saturday’s preseason game between the Celtics and the 76ers, NBA stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown completely ignored each other throughout warmups, making it pretty clear they’re still at odds.

In their first meeting since the offseason blockbuster trade, the two former top Celtics picks pretended that the other didn’t exist, despite being in mere steps away from one another.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown, center, warms up prior to a preseason NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, his former team, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Boston. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Jaylen Brown was pivotal for the Celtics last season, as his 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game kept Boston at the top of the Eastern Conference while Tatum was recovering from an Achilles injury. 

Boston faced low expectations at the start of last season due to the departures of Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Kristaps Porziņģis, as well as Tatum’s injury. Brown’s contributions ensured the Celtics remained a top-two seed in the East, but their season ultimately ended with a collapse to Philadelphia after a 3-1 series lead in the first round of the 2026 playoffs.

The relationship between the Celtics and Brown grew sour during the season, and in his unofficial return, the five-time All-Star didn’t even sit courtside. According to NBC Sports Boston sideline reporter Abby Chin, Brown spent most of the 144-106 76ers loss in the locker room.

Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown (7) warms up prior to a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“Jaylen Brown, a former Celtic, is in the building,” Chin reported in the second quarter. “He’s not on the bench. So, we believe he’s back in the locker room here in Boston for the first time since he was traded away this summer.”

Tatum posted 23 points, five rebounds and four assists against the shorthanded 76ers, as Philadelphia also rested Joel Embiid and LeBron James.

Brown doesn’t make his official return to the TD Garden until Jan. 21. Boston will begin the first of four meetings between the two teams on November 10th in Philadelphia.

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8 Takeaways from Cavs 119-105 preseason win over Magic: ‘It’s an adjustment’

CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 11: Peyton Watson #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives to the basket during the game against the Orlando Magic during a 2026 NBA Preseason game on October 11, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers took care of business in their second preseason game as they dispatched the Orlando Magic 119-105 in what was overall a much cleaner performance than their first outing on Thursday.

Mario Hezonja needed a game like this.

His debut on Thursday was rough. He looked out of place and a step or two slow against a versatile, athletic Boston Celtics team. That wasn’t the case on Sunday, as he poured in 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting with five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Maybe Hezonja just needed to get his feet under him. Maybe it was playing against a much bigger and more physical team. Either way, this was a much better outing for Hezonja.

Head coach Kenny Atkinson called Hezonja a “diesel train” pregame, saying that he wants to see him get downhill in transition and attack the offensive boards. We saw him do both as he scored a few baskets in transition and had a nice and-one after grabbing an offensive rebound in the first quarter.

Hezonja has the skills to be an offensive connector, functional dribbler, floor spacer, and impactful rebounder. Every team would like to have a backup four that could provide all of those things. Hezonja was that player this game.

The NBA game is much different than what Hezonja was used to in Europe. Atkinson said that he’s tried to incorporate things from the international game into what the Cavs do. Hezonja laughed it off when he asked if there were similarities between Cleveland’s offense and what he thrived on over in Europe.

“I wish in Europe that we play like this,” Hezonja said. “I wish. I wish, because this is smart. This is what it is. But also you don’t have this type of personnel in Europe. … The entire (NBA) game is based on reads nowadays.”

This isn’t the only adjustment Hezonja is making. He’s also getting used to fitting into a different role than what he’s been used to over the past six years with entirely new teammates.

“So you’re just adjusting to the system, coming off the bench, trying to see who are my teammates on the court, what they need, what type of game is it until I get in there,” Hezonja said. “So, just reading over there, it gets a little bit maybe for a couple seconds [it’s weird], but then the experience kicks in.”

Getting used to the Cavs won’t happen overnight. But based on the skills that he showed on Sunday, being patient for him to get up to speed seems like it’ll be worth it.

“It’s an adjustment,” Atkinson said. “We’ve got to have empathy for that. It’s not going to happen overnight.”

James Harden looks ready for the regular season after his preseason opener on Sunday. Harden was able to get wherever he wanted on the court, scored with ease, and created contact to generate free-throw attempts. This resulted in 24 points on 7-for-10 shooting with two assists in 26 minutes.

Atkinson wants to see how Evan Mobley fits alongside Harden. The Cavs have experimented with different lineup combinations throughout these two exhibition games. One that may stick is the Harden and Mobley grouping.

“James’s ball handling can help Evan, especially in the pocket,” Atkinson said. “Can we see that more? We’ll see if we can stick with it, but so far I’ve liked it.”

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Overall, Atkinson said that we shouldn’t look too deeply into the rotation, especially in terms of the backup point guards. That said, it’s worth pointing out that Tyrese Proctor hasn’t gotten much of a chance to prove anything in the preseason.

Meleek Thomas is more of an unknown commodity. Getting him as much run as possible with rotation players in a setting like this is important and worthwhile. However, those minutes have come completely at the expense of Proctor, which isn’t a good sign for him.

We’ll see if this changes for the final tune-up game on Tuesday, where Atkinson expects the starters to play more than they did here. As of now, it’s difficult to envision Proctor getting rotation minutes at the start of the season.

Cleveland did a much better job rebounding after a poor showing against Boston. The Celtics gathered 46.9% of their missed shots (100th percentile for an offense). On Sunday, the Magic only retrieved 28.6% of their offensive misses (38th percentile for an offense).

The Magic aren’t as good of an offensive rebounding team as the Celtics. That’s worth pointing out. Yet, it is encouraging that the Cavs were able to do a much better job in this area.

Rebounding is one of the points Atkinson has continually pointed out as wanting to improve this year. This performance was a step in the right direction.

Peyton Watson struggled to establish an offensive rhythm. He aired a three and overall just didn’t seem as comfortable offensively here as he did against Boston, as he went 3-for-10 from the floor for just six points.

“He got a little clunky there offensively, just him not knowing our principles and how we play,” Atkinson said. “We’ll clean that up. I’m not worried about that.”

Like Hezonja, this is an adjustment period for Watson as well.

“Just a little bit more unpredictability,” Watson said when asked what the difference was between this offense and the ones he was a part of with the Denver Nuggets.

The Cavs are giving Watson more responsibilities. They’re allowing him to create with the ball and entrusting him to be more than just a floor spacer or cutter. This added freedom should allow him to grow into a better all-around player. But there could be bumps along the way. This is in addition to figuring out what lineups he fits with best.

“It’s all about instincts and knowing how to play the game around two elite offensive players, just knowing where to be. Whereas with Joker (Nikola Jokic), I kind of knew every time down he was going to have the ball on the floor, on this spot or this spot, and the play or the cut was going to be for me to do this or do that.

“Here, there’s a lot more possibilities of things that I can do/bring to the table. I think that it’s an adjustment. I’m still getting acclimated, but I couldn’t be happier to be in this situation. I think it’ll really benefit my game, and I think it’ll benefit the team as well.”

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Turang homers and Milwaukee’s bullpen delivers as the Brewers beat the Dodgers 2-1 in NLCS opener

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brice Turang homered off Tarik Skubal and Milwaukee’s bullpen shut down the Los Angeles Dodgers after Jacob Misiorowski’s taxing outing, sending the Brewers to a 2-1 victory in the NL Championship Series opener on Sunday night.

Luis Lara hit a tiebreaking single off Skubal in the fifth inning as Milwaukee took Game 1 in the first NLCS matchup of 100-win teams since the Cincinnati Reds eliminated the Philadelphia Phillies in 1976. The Brewers had dropped seven consecutive postseason games against the Dodgers, including a sweep in last year’s NLCS.

Game 2 is on Monday in Milwaukee. Yoshinobu Yamamoto starts for the Dodgers, and Logan Henderson takes the mound for the Brewers.

Los Angeles, looking to become the first team to win three straight championships since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees, grounded into three double plays, stranded nine runners and went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position, dropping to 2 for 22 in the playoffs.

The Dodgers chased Misiorowski, the favorite for the NL Cy Young Award, in the fifth inning, but they managed just two hits against four relievers.

DL Hall replaced Misiorowski with a runner aboard and got Freddie Freeman to ground into a double play, sending a charge through the rollicking crowd of 42,617. Abner Uribe allowed two hits in the sixth, then struck out Andy Pages with runners on the corners for the final out of the inning.

Aaron Ashby pitched two innings before Trevor Megill got three outs for the save. Kyle Tucker and pinch-hitter Josue De Paula walked with two down in the ninth before Mookie Betts flied to the center-field warning track.

The Brewers are among five current teams that have never won it all.

The Dodgers made Misiorowski throw 35 pitches in the second inning. Pages drove in Shohei Ohtani on a grounded single into right field, and Tucker loaded the bases when he reached on a 10-pitch walk that included four foul balls.

But Misiorowski limited the damage when he got Kiké Hernández to bounce into an inning-ending double play.

Turang responded with a leadoff drive into the home bullpen in the fourth. It was the second career postseason homer for Turang, who went 1 for 15 with six strikeouts in last year’s NLCS.

Sticking with the same brand of baseball that resulted in the majors’ best record this year, Milwaukee went ahead to stay in the fifth.

Garrett Mitchell reached on a leadoff walk and advanced on rookie Cooper Pratt’s sacrifice bunt. Lara, another rookie, then grounded an RBI single into center field. The Brewers loaded the bases with two down, but Skubal escaped the jam when William Contreras flied to right.

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Yamamoto is 8-1 with a 2.14 ERA in 11 postseason appearances. The Japanese right-hander pitched a three-hitter in a 5-1 victory at Milwaukee in Game 2 of last year’s NLCS.

Henderson is making his second career postseason start. The right-hander tossed five-plus innings of two-run ball in Milwaukee’s 4-3 win over San Diego in Game 2 of their NL Division Series. He went 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA in two starts against Los Angeles this season.

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Brewers get just enough off Tarik Skubal, draw first blood in NLCS Game 1 win

Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal wipes his face while headed to the dugout after giving up a run in the fifth inning.
Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal wipes his face while headed to the dugout after giving up a run in the fifth inning. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

First and foremost, the Dodgers wanted Tarik Skubal on their team. When they pursued him at the trade deadline, they saw him as the rare player who could improve their odds of winning a third straight World Series.

It didn’t hurt that by acquiring him they prevented other postseason contenders, including the Milwaukee Brewers, from landing the two-time Cy Young Award winner. The Dodgers guaranteed that they wouldn’t have to face him in October.

“I’m sure it’s in the back of your head, the teams that are interested,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Sunday before the Dodgers’ 2-1 loss to the Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series. “Certainly not a driver, but not nothing either. As far as how happy I am, I am very happy it’s Skubal versus Miz and not Miz and Skubal [for the Brewers] in the next two.”

Read more:Plaschke: Dodgers could be in big trouble if Brewers steal their October swagger

That sentiment rang even truer when the Dodgers dropped Game 1 at American Family Field, despite forcing “Miz” — Jacob Misiorowski, the NL Cy Young favorite — out of the game in just 4⅓ innings, and despite having Skubal, who struck out seven in five innings but gave up two runs in a fine effort, on their side.

“That’s our job, trying to get the starter, especially when you’re facing a guy like him, out of the game early,” said left fielder Teoscar Hernández, who logged two hits against Misiorowski. “I think we did a pretty good job, we just didn’t get the job done when we needed with guys in scoring position.”

The Dodgers hit into three inning-ending double plays in the first five innings and overall left nine men on base, going one for six with runners in scoring position.

In a role reversal, the Dodgers, who scored almost exclusively via the home run in the first round, pulled ahead with a pesky approach at the plate.

Designated hitter Shohei Ohtani opened the second inning with a four-pitch walk. Then Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages hit opposite-field singles to move Ohtani around the bases and give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.

Taking a similar “grind him out” approach to the one they deployed against Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale in Game 3 of the Division Series, the Dodgers forced Misiorowski to throw 35 pitches in the inning — 10 alone to Kyle Tucker, who worked a walk.

By the third inning, Misiorowski’s fastball velocity, which touched 104 mph, had dropped to double digits. And though the Dodgers didn’t score again against him, they continued to rack up his pitch count. By the time he exited with one out in the fifth, it was at 94.

The Brewers, known for their peskiness, instead tied the score with one swing against Skubal. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Brice Turang got the barrel of his bat to an inside sinker and lifted it over the fence in left-center, into the Brewers’ bullpen.

“A 2-0 sinker in, I mean, I’m going to live with that, left-on-left,” Skubal said. “He put a good swing on it. The first at-bat he broke his bat [on a similar pitch], ground ball.”

Though the Brewers have players who can hit home runs, they pulled ahead the next inning with a sequence more closely aligned with their identity.

Skubal walked Garrett Mitchell on five pitches. Brewers rookie Cooper Pratt moved him into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. And then Luis Lara sent a ground-ball single through the middle of the infield to drive in the go-ahead run.

“The leadoff walk just can’t happen,” Skubal said. “It gives them an opportunity to create something, and ultimately that’s all they needed today.”

Skubal battled traffic to get out of the inning without giving up another run. But in such a tight game, that marked the end of his start.

The American Family Field atmosphere added an extra charge to the close contest. The home crowd was perhaps its loudest (until an ear-splitting cheer at the final out) when it took issue with a balk call against Misiorowski. It looked as if he had picked off Hernández to end the fourth inning, but Hernández instead was awarded second base.

The Brewers' Jake Bauers is tagged out by Dodgers second baseman Kiké Hernández after being picked off by pitcher Alex Vesia.
The Brewers' Jake Bauers is tagged out by Dodgers second baseman Kiké Hernández after he was caught too far off first base by by pitcher Alex Vesia. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

That play still was seared into their collective memory when Dodgers left-hander Alex Vesia picked off Jake Bauers at first base. Brewers fans shouted “balk!” over and over.

The bullpens battled to a scoreless draw, the Dodgers’ last stand falling flat after Tucker and pinch-hitting rookie Josue De Paula drew a pair of two-out walks against Trevor Megill. Mookie Betts drove a deep fly ball to the warning track, momentarily silencing the crowd, until Mitchell closed his glove around it. So the edge the Brewers gained against Skubal held.

“You can’t go into a long series against a team that has the best record in baseball and expect to just win four,” Roberts said after the game. “It’s going to be a long series. We knew it coming in. We had our chances, but they made plays, pitches when they needed to. We’ve just got to reset. We’ve got our guy going [Monday], who we trust undoubtedly, and we’ve got to win a baseball game.”

Read more:Will Smith is in a slump, but benching him isn't an option for Dodgers

That guy is right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who last year threw a complete game at American Family Field in Game 2 of the NLCS.

The road doesn’t get much easier for the Dodgers’ offense Monday, when it’ll face right-hander Logan Henderson, who held the Dodgers to one run in seven innings when the Brewers came to Los Angeles in August. But imagine if instead the Brewers had outbid the Dodgers and they had to go through Skubal first.

“It would look really different,” manager Dave Roberts said Saturday. “What those guys do — they had the best record in baseball. Certainly when you’re talking about a seven-game series, to see Tarik on the other side … the series would look a lot different.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski labors into 5th inning of NLCS opener against Dodgers

MILWAUKEE (AP) — It was a really challenging night for Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski.

The front-runner for the NL Cy Young Award labored just to make it to the fifth inning of the NL Championship Series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday night.

Los Angeles fouled off 21 of his 94 pitches by the time his final batter, Mookie Betts, reached on a one-out walk in the fifth. The 24-year-old allowed one run and five hits.

The 6-foot-7 right-hander threw 44 pitches at 100 mph or higher, reaching 104 mph on his initial offering to Freddie Freeman in the first. The Dodgers swung at 27 of his 62 fastballs, fouling off 16 and missing just five.

Misiorowski went 16-5 with a major league-low 1.80 ERA in 30 starts this season while averaging 100.6 mph with his four-seam fastball. He also led the majors with 252 strikeouts in 174 2/3 innings.

He struck out five and walked three in his second start this postseason. He tossed four innings of two-run ball in Milwaukee’s 3-2 win over San Diego in Game 1 of their NL Division Series on Oct. 3, reaching triple digits on 52 of 88 pitches.

Misiorowski was helped by three inning-ending double plays against Los Angeles, including Kiké Hernández’s bouncer to shortstop with the bases loaded in the second.

DL Hall replaced Misiorowski and got Freeman to ground into a double play, delighting the yellow towel-waving crowd of 42,617.