But it’s one of his friendships off of the court that drew attention during Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors.
Lakers forward Sandro Mamukelashvili’s dunk against the Warriors was admired by a good friend. NBAE via Getty Images
As Mamukelashvili caught a pass from Quentin Grimes with just under two minutes left in the second quarter of the exhibition against the Warriors, the Georgian forward drove past Yaxel Lendeborg and flushed down a one-handed dunk over the rookie forward.
Not too far away from courtside at T-Mobile Arena was a man pumping his fast and cheering Mamukelashvili on after the highlight play: Flavor Flav.
Flav, whose real name is William Jonathan Drayton Jr., and the 6-foot-9 Lakers forward have a friendship that dates back to when Mamukelashvili was selected in the second round of the 2021 draft.
Mamukelashvili’s financial advisor is friends with the Public Enemy founding member, with Flav going to one of Mamukelashvili’s summer league games after he was selected with the No. 54 pick in the 2021 draft.
Flavor Flav of Public Enemy, center, was at the Lakers’ preseason game against the Warriors to watch his friend. Getty ImagesSandro Mamukelashvili has had impressive performances for the Lakers during preseason. NBAE via Getty Images
They hit it off.
From there, the New York natives went to a Yankees game together and then had dinner, starting the friendship that’s spanned nearly half a decade and led to Flav being in attendance for Tuesday’s game.
“It’s always cool to have him,” Mamukelashvili said. “He’s such a great energy giver. Such a great energy [guy]. He always has this positive impact and always, like [Monday], he was so hyped. We were talking for two hours and he was so hyped and he kind of pumped me up. And I knew he was coming to the game so I was really excited.”
Flav is equally as excited for Mamukelashvili.
“I’m so happy for him,” Flav said. “And I’m happy for the Lakers. I feel the Lakers are lucky to have him.”
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors poses with Yaxel Lendeborg #1 during media day at Chase Center on September 28, 2026 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When the Golden State Warriors converged in Hawaii to kick of training camp, coach Steve Kerr made three things clear: Steph Curry would be in the starting lineup; Draymond Green would be in the starting lineup; and the other three spots were up for grabs.
With an opening day showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers exactly one week away, Kerr still has not finalized a starting lineup, but things are coming into focus. Earlier this week, Kerr said that he was “leaning towards” a starting five of Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos, and Yaxel Lendeborg alongside Curry and Green.
In past years, the team has tried to limit how often Green starts at center to help preserve him, as it’s a tougher physical ask. But the Dubs are limited in their options. Kristaps Porziņģis still has not made it onto the practice court, so he’s a long ways away from being a consideration. Al Horford doesn’t play back to backs, meaning that he can’t be a set starter. And Charles Bassey — who started in Green’s absence during Tuesday’s preseason win over the Lakers — is likely not viewed as deserving of a starting role at the moment.
That’s all three of the team’s centers, and leaves Green as the most sensible option. On the one hand, that makes for a small starting five; on the other hand, Lendeborg and Santos are both large enough to play power forward, so Golden State still has a chance to hold their own on the glass and defensively.
As for Podziemski, he always felt like a near-lock to start. The Dubs prefer to have De’Anthony Melton come off the bench, and Brandon Williams works best as a second-unit spark plug rather than a starter. Podziemski is by far the most well-rounded guard option that Golden State has, and his recently-signed five-year, $110 million extension suggests that the team is ready to start giving him a larger role. He’s also had an excellent training camp, and has more than earned his role in the starting five.
Lendeborg, the team’s first-round pick in June’s draft, is arguably the most exciting reveal. The rookie has been very impressive in his debut training camp, and looks like he could be a difference-maker from day one; clearly the Warriors agree.
Golden State has one more preseason game on Friday to finalize their starting five before kicking the season off on Wednesday, October 21.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 13: A Los Angeles Dodgers groundscrew worker paints the postseason logo on the field before the Milwaukee Brewers workout prior to the NLCS at Dodger Stadium on October 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yesterday’s 3-1 win for the Rays, leveled their series at 1-1. It also did not help the offensive slump which has been true for much of the post-season. It chipped another four points off the collective playoff OPS, which is now down to .629. We’re already the lowest since the beginning of the wild-card era in 1995. Fifteen more points and it’ll match the 1983 figure. This has been reflected in a lack of people crossing home-plate. Teams have averaged only 3.47 runs per game. That’s also the lowest in the wild-card era, though we don’t get to go back quite so far: the 1991 post-season managed 3.42, while the previous season was all the way down at 3.18.
Of course, in those days, there was only three series, so outliers were more likely. There were only 14 games in that 1990 post-season, both the ALCS and the World Series finishing in 4-0 sweeps. This year, there have already been more than twice as many. 29 all told, between the four wild-card rounds, the four Division Series, and the four games in the Championship Series. The all-time mark, unsurprisingly, is the 2020 playoffs, when there were 53 games in total needed to determine the champion. If MLB get their way, that record might be challenged under the next CBA, if they shift games from the regular season into the post-season.
Anyway, the NLCS continues, with the Brewers looking to move to the brink of the World Series!
Milwaukee Brewers @ Los Angeles Dodgers (2-0): 5:00 pm, FS1
Oct 12, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) strikes out against the Milwaukee Brewers during the sixth inning in game two of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Technically speaking, this game is not a “must win” for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Down 2-0 in a best-of-seven gives, the back-to-back champs still have a tiny room for error, and they are back in the friendly confines of Chavez Ravine, where they went 51-33 during the regular season. No one is going to be putting them out to pasture just yet.
That said, it is entirely possible that they have simply come up against MLB’s best team in the 2026 Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers led the league in wins, runs scored, and run differential this season. The Dodgers were close behind in each of those metrics, but just like they were chasing the Brewers for the NL’s number one seed during the final two months of the season, they seem to be a beat behind in the first two games of this series.
Shohei Ohtani’s struggles are not a small part of the story here. He’s 1-for-7 with three strikeouts in this series. This follows a nightmarish September for him in which he was injured and then underperforming. He is probably still hurt quite badly. At the same time, the rest of the lineup has also struggled. They have one extra-base hit through two games, and have gone 1-f0r-10 with runners in scoring position.
Brewers at Dodgers, 8:00 p.m., FS1
Brewers lead series 2-0
LHP Robert Gasser (5-5, 3.87 ERA) vs. LHP Blake Snell (4-1, 1.90 ERA)
How long will Snell stick around in this game? As long as he is effective. He last pitched on October 4 against the Braves. That day he worked 3.2 innings and allowed one run while walking five and striking out five. The lefty has never been known for his longevity, so if he gets through the order twice the Dodgers have to consider it a win.
Gasser worked four innings and allowed one run to the Padres in Game 4 of the NLDS, his most recent outing. He ended the regular season on a run of allowing four earned runs over his final four starts (22.2 innings). Similar to Snell, they will hope to get him through an order twice, and then turn to the bullpen.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 12: A general view of signage prior to game two of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on October 12, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Only one game today. Two games tomorrow, but the Rays/Guardians game has been moved to 1:00 Eastern to avoid expected bad weather. I don’t know about how it is where you live, but if we expect bad weather tomorrow evening, we could get bad weather anytime between tonight and a week from next Thursday. But perhaps weather comes when predicted in Cleveland.
Anyway, the Brewers are up 2-0. A win tonight would make me very happy.
Today’s lineups, with Ohtani batting 6th:
Today’s Lineups
BREWERS
DODGERS
Jackson Chourio – LF
Mookie Betts – SS
Brice Turang – 2B
Freddie Freeman – 1B
William Contreras – C
Teoscar Hernandez – LF
Andrew Vaughn – DH
Kyle Tucker – RF
Jake Bauers – 1B
Andy Pages – CF
Garrett Mitchell – CF
Shohei Ohtani – DH
Cooper Pratt – SS
Will Smith – C
Luis Lara – RF
Miguel Rojas – 3B
Joey Ortiz – 3B
Tommy Edman – 2B
Robert Gasser – LHP
Blake Snell – LHP
I won’t be in the thread today. We bowl on Wednesday nights….which I still find hard to say. But my name is on a bowling trophy. Not that I’m any good at it, but because they have a weird way of scoring you against your average, and since I had never bowled, it was easy to improve. Where the ones that have bowled for years have a much harder time beating their average.
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 12: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats during Game Two of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Monday, October 12, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Dodgers return home with their collective backs against the wall as the Brewers head west with a 2-0 NLCS lead. Blake Snell gets the start for the Dodgers in game 3 while the Brewers will put their trust in Robert Gasser. First pitch is scheduled for 7pm central time with the game broadcast being handled by Fox/FS1.
Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell hit back-to-back homers off Blake Snell to regain the lead in the seventh inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Wednesday to take a 3-0 lead in the National League Championship Series.
The Dodgers had just taken a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth before getting stunned. The loss pushed the two-time defending World Series champions to the brink of elimination. They had only trailed 3-0 in a best-of-seven postseason series once previously in franchise history, getting swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1966 World Series.
Game 4 is Thursday at Dodger Stadium, where the Brewers can become the first major league club to complete a postseason sweep after getting swept by that same opponent in the previous postseason. Los Angeles took all four games against Milwaukee in the NLCS last year.
The only team in big league history to come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a postseason series was the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees.
Coming into the seventh, Snell had retired 14 batters in a row. The first pitch of the game thrown by the two-time Cy Young Award winner hit for a home run by Jackson Chourio, and his last pitch was Mitchell’s solo shot.
Andrew Vaughn drew a seven-pitch walk to open the inning and was replaced by pinch-runner Christian Yelich. Bauers followed with a 412-foot shot to right field on the 11th pitch of the at-bat for a 3-2 lead as most of Milwaukee’s dugout came onto the field to celebrate. Mitchell was next and his drive traveled 428 feet to right-center, chasing Snell.
It was the latest relentless plate appearance for Bauers, who drew a 12-pitch walk from Yoshinobu Yamamoto that helped the Brewers go ahead early in Game 3.
Milwaukee, which has never beaten the Dodgers in three previous playoff series, is chasing its second pennant and first in the National League. The Brewers were in the American League when they reached their only World Series, a seven-game loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982.
Snell gave up four runs and four hits in six innings, struck out nine and walked two.
The Brewers extended the lead to 5-2 in the eighth on Justin Wrobleski’s wild pitch that scored Brice Turang, who reached on an infield single and advanced to third on William Contreras’ single. They added another run on Joey Ortiz’s two-strike RBI single in the ninth.
The offensively starved Dodgers took their first lead, 2-1, on Will Smith’s two-run double off reliever Abner Uribe in the sixth.
Uribe followed rookie starter Robert Gasser and he loaded the bases on walks to Teoscar Hernández, Kyle Tucker and Shohei Ohtani. Smith, who was 1 for 25 in the playoffs, doubled off the left-center fence for his first hit of the NLCS.
DL Hall took over from Uribe and stranded runners at second and third by striking out pinch-hitter Kiké Hernández and Tommy Edman.
Hall allowed one hit in 2 1/3 scoreless innings to improve to 3-0 in these playoffs. Trevor Megill got four outs for his second save of the series and fourth this postseason.
The Dodgers played from behind again after the 22-year-old Chourio connected for his third career leadoff homer as fans were still heading to their seats.
After that, Mitchell walked and Cooper Pratt singled in the second before Snell retired 14 in a row — six on strikeouts — before getting hammered in the seventh.
The Dodgers had runners on base in all but three innings, but couldn’t get enough across. They have yet to homer in the NLCS.
Ohtani was 1 for 2 with a walk while hitting sixth in the order, the lowest he’s batted since joining the Dodgers three years ago.
Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell hit back-to-back homers off Blake Snell to regain the lead in the seventh inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 on Wednesday to take a 3-0 lead in the National League Championship Series.
The Dodgers had just taken a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth before getting stunned. The loss pushed the two-time defending World Series champions to the brink of elimination. They had only trailed 3-0 in a best-of-seven postseason series once previously in franchise history, getting swept by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1966 World Series.
Game 4 is Thursday at Dodger Stadium, where the Brewers can become the first major league club to complete a postseason sweep after getting swept by that same opponent in the previous postseason. Los Angeles took all four games against Milwaukee in the NLCS last year.
The only team in big league history to come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a postseason series was the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 AL Championship Series against the New York Yankees.
Coming into the seventh, Snell had retired 14 batters in a row. The first pitch of the game thrown by the two-time Cy Young Award winner hit for a home run by Jackson Chourio, and his last pitch was Mitchell’s solo shot.
Andrew Vaughn drew a seven-pitch walk to open the inning and was replaced by pinch-runner Christian Yelich. Bauers followed with a 412-foot shot to right field on the 11th pitch of the at-bat for a 3-2 lead as most of Milwaukee’s dugout came onto the field to celebrate. Mitchell was next and his drive traveled 428 feet to right-center, chasing Snell.
It was the latest relentless plate appearance for Bauers, who drew a 12-pitch walk from Yoshinobu Yamamoto that helped the Brewers go ahead early in Game 3.
Milwaukee, which has never beaten the Dodgers in three previous playoff series, is chasing its second pennant and first in the National League. The Brewers were in the American League when they reached their only World Series, a seven-game loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1982.
Snell gave up four runs and four hits in six innings, struck out nine and walked two.
The Brewers extended the lead to 5-2 in the eighth on Justin Wrobleski’s wild pitch that scored Brice Turang, who reached on an infield single and advanced to third on William Contreras’ single. They added another run on Joey Ortiz’s two-strike RBI single in the ninth.
The offensively starved Dodgers took their first lead, 2-1, on Will Smith’s two-run double off reliever Abner Uribe in the sixth.
Uribe followed rookie starter Robert Gasser and he loaded the bases on walks to Teoscar Hernández, Kyle Tucker and Shohei Ohtani. Smith, who was 1 for 25 in the playoffs, doubled off the left-center fence for his first hit of the NLCS.
DL Hall took over from Uribe and stranded runners at second and third by striking out pinch-hitter Kiké Hernández and Tommy Edman.
Hall allowed one hit in 2 1/3 scoreless innings to improve to 3-0 in these playoffs. Trevor Megill got four outs for his second save of the series and fourth this postseason.
The Dodgers played from behind again after the 22-year-old Chourio connected for his third career leadoff homer as fans were still heading to their seats.
After that, Mitchell walked and Cooper Pratt singled in the second before Snell retired 14 in a row — six on strikeouts — before getting hammered in the seventh.
The Dodgers had runners on base in all but three innings, but couldn’t get enough across. They have yet to homer in the NLCS.
Ohtani was 1 for 2 with a walk while hitting sixth in the order, the lowest he’s batted since joining the Dodgers three years ago.
MILWAUKEE, WI - OCTOBER 12: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers hits a two-run single in the third inning during Game Two of the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on Monday, October 12, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
It’s been a busy day for the Phillies, but there is an NLCS game tonight.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 04: Blake Snell #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves in game two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 04, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the Cleveland Guardians and the Tampa Bay Rays tied up at a game apiece and taking an off day to move the series to Cleveland, attention shifts back to the National League fully on Wednesday night.
The Dodgers are in trouble. With Shohei Ohtani presumably battling injuries and entirely ineffective at the plate over the past few months, the supposed game destroying superpower is in a lot of trouble. An otherwise aging lineup has had nothing to offer Brewers pitching through the first two games of the series. They need to turn things around immediately, but they’ve already sent both Tarik Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound in the series.
Instead of their aces, their hopes will have to rest on Blake Snell’s shoulders. The southpaw is still a high end strikeout artist capable of pitching like a true ace in short bursts, but his tendency to lose control and give up tons of walks and get knocked out early makes him a real wild card to pin the Dodgers hopes on. Of course, their bullpen is still excellent. They just have to get them a lead to defend. We’ll see if home cooking starts to turn the tide tonight, and whether Snell has another gem in him.
As for the Brewers, they’re certainly in the driver’s seat, but the longer the series goes on, the more their rotation depth could be exposed. They need to keep the pressure on the Dodgers and look to knock them out as fast as possible.
This one gets underway from Dodgers Stadium at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
LHP Robert Gasser (0-0, 2.25 ERA) gets the start for Milwaukee against LHP Blake Snell (0-0, 2.45 ERA).
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 5: Ausar Thompson #9 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
The Detroit Pistons have been a fun, if frustrating, watch through two preseason games. The Pistons have played a bit loose as they try to integrate new players and incorporate new offensive elements to their games. There have been highs and some lows. The real fun has been when the Pistons’ reserves come in and strangle the life out of their opponents. It is Detroit Pistons basketball, and players 6-15 know how to play it. It’s also been a bit hard to understand what is real and what simply must be taken with a grain of salt. Jalen Duren, the team’s starting center, has yet to suit up so far. Cade Cunningham sat out the last game. Still, it’d be nice if the two worst players on the floor for Detroit didn’t also happen to be their two newest big-ticket additions. John Collins and Isaiah Joe are still … figuring it out. Hopefully the light clicks on soon. Collins seems to be struggling to understand that whole Pistons basketball thing. I think he wants to, especially after spending some wayward years with the Jazz and a kinda blah year with the competent and boring Clippers. He’s got some Pistons DNA in him, and he’s playing a little too wild as a result. Joe, meanwhile, just isn’t hitting his open shots. He will, though.
Game Vitals
When: 8 p.m. ET Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota Watch: TV: My TV 20 | Streaming: DAZN Odds: Timberwolves -2.5
Projected Lineups
DetroitPistons(1-1)
Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins, Jalen Duren
Minnesota Timberwolves (3-1)
LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga, Rudy Gobert
Mar 3, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives to the basket against Toronto Raptors guard Scottie Barnes (4) during the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Toronto Raptors will look to carry their preseason momentum into Madison Square Garden when they face the New York Knicks on Thursday, Oct. 15.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET as Toronto continues preparing for the 2026-27 NBA season. The matchup comes two days after the teams met at Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 13, with Toronto winning 148-98. Kawhi Leonard led the Raptors with 21 points and five rebounds in his preseason return to Toronto, while Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles added 19 points apiece. The Raptors dominated from the opening quarter, building an 85-47 halftime lead and showcasing their offensive firepower.
The Raptors were also very strong defensively, showcasing that they have one of the best defensive units in the league. Raptors fans would expect this to remain the same this season.
When asked about defensive expectations, Scottie Barnes said there would be “more danger and activity, along with physicality. And then we will see what happens when the regular season comes.”
In their last contest, New York rested several key starters, making the result less indicative of how the teams will match up at full strength. The rematch gives both sides a quick turnaround and another opportunity to evaluate their rotations before the games start counting.
What can we expect from both teams?
For the Raptors, the focus is on building consistency, finding the right combinations and getting their core players comfortable playing together. After an uneven start to the preseason, Toronto has already shown signs of improvement, but there is still work to do before the regular season begins. It is important that Toronto takes lessons from each preseason game they play.
“I think it’s going really good, we’re trending upwards and every game we’re taking those things and coming into practice finding something we can work on,” said Barnes.
For the Knicks, The question is how quickly they can get its main rotation working together. The Knicks have the talent to put pressure on opposing defences, but Toronto will look to disrupt their rhythm by contesting shots, limiting second chances and forcing difficult possessions.
New York’s preseason results also make Thursday’s game another opportunity to build confidence before the games begin to count. With the regular season approaching, the Knicks will want to see their offence become more consistent while ensuring their defensive intensity is where it needs to be.
What to watch for
For Toronto, the biggest storyline will be how its core players continue to develop chemistry ahead of the regular season. Scottie Barnes’ versatility, RJ Barrett’s scoring ability and Immanuel Quickley’s playmaking will be important as the Raptors look to establish a consistent offensive rhythm. Toronto will also need contributions from its supporting cast to remain competitive on both ends of the floor.
Kawhi Leonard will be another player to watch after making his preseason debut against New York. He recorded 21 points, five rebounds and two steals in 17 minutes. His performance was an early indication of how he fits alongside Toronto’s core and what he could bring to the lineup moving forward.
“I think he [Kawhi] just fits in easily, the physicality, the active hands, him being able to switch with certain guys out there on the floor, I think it helps us all,” said Barnes.
Sep 28, 2026; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) talks to the media during Toronto Raptors-Media Day at Hotel-X. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
New York will look to take advantage of its home-court setting at Madison Square Garden while continuing to refine its rotations. I don’t expect them to play another strong lineup with the regular season approaching, instead they will spread the minutes to players on the bench.
Prediction
Toronto will look to build momentum heading into Thursday’s matchup hoping to carry a same result from their performance on Tuesday into the rematch while continuing to build chemistry and establish a consistent offensive rhythm.
New York will have a similar opportunity to evaluate its progress after the first meeting, this time with home court advantage, but both teams will likely prioritize player development and lineup experimentation over the final result.
Before the Dodgers became Shohei Ohtani’s team, they were Mookie Betts’ team.
Manager Dave Roberts used to say that as Betts went, the Dodgers went.
Betts was the best player on the 2020 championship team. He finished in the top five in National League MVP voting three of his first four seasons with the Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts speaks during a press conference before Game 3 of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs against the Milwaukee Brewers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Dodgers scored only once in the first game of the NLCS and each of the four runs they scored in the second game was the result of an error or wild pitch by the Brewers, but Betts can’t be faulted for the lack of run production.
Betts, who replaced Ohtani as the leadoff hitter last month while the four-time MVP was on the injured list, was 2-for-7 through the first two games of the NLCS.
He reached base four times in nine plate appearances.
“Mookie’s at-bats at the top, and what he’s done over the last couple months has been very consistent,” Roberts said. “It’s at-bat quality at the highest level.”
In his first at-bat against Braves ace Chris Sale, Betts laid off a slider that just missed the lower outside corner of the plate to work the count full. On the next pitch Betts reached base on an infield single.
“Really just trying to have good at-bats and try to not have a bunch of empty one-out flyouts,” Betts said.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts hits a single against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning in Game 2. Tannen Maury/UPI/Shutterstock
The Dodgers forced Sale to throw 24 pitches in the first inning. By the end of the third inning, Sale’s pitch count was already at 69. In the fourth inning, the Dodgers struck, with home runs by Kiké Hernández and Freddie Freeman moving them in front, 3-0.
The Dodgers went on to win the game, 3-1, and Betts finished with two hits.
“When you’re getting into a playoff series and you get that first hitter seeing pitches, it sets the tone for the rest of the lineup, and also for that starting pitcher that it’s going to be a grindy day,” Roberts said.
Against the Brewers, the Dodgers face an entirely different kind of challenge. The strength of the Brewers is their bullpen.
“I don’t know that it’s super imperative for us to run up the pitch counts or anything because the back end of their bullpen is arguably better than everybody on the team,” Betts said. “Getting to them isn’t necessarily a huge success.”
Unless Cy Young Award favorite Jacob Misiorowski is pitching for the Brewers, the Dodgers’ prime scoring opportunities to score could be against their starting pitchers.
“Really scoring runs when you can,” Betts said.
Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers slides into home plate to score a run in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2. Getty Images
Betts described the Dodgers as being in a good headspace.
“Nobody is really panicking or anything,” he said. “Obviously we know it’s a tough task. It’s a really good ball club over there. We just have to start one game, one pitch at a time.”
Betts said he didn’t see a reason for the team to be discouraged.
“It’s not like we’re playing really bad,” he said. “I think we’re just not getting the hits that we need to really explode as an offense. One hit can kind of lead to two and then kind of keep us going.”
The Dodgers were also in trouble in each of their last two World Series runs – they were behind two-games-to-one against the San Diego Padres in their best-of-five NL Division Series in 2024; and they trailed three games to two against the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series last year.
“I think just having that experience, that’s kind of what gives us encouragement,” Betts said. “Being that we’ve been here before and we got out of it keeps us in a really good head space.
“Obviously, every year is different, but the same rules apply. We’ve got to just keep playing the game, and that’s really it.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers have countless celebrity fans. But Mary Hart stands above them all.
The former "Entertainment Tonight" host has been a longtime fan and season ticket holder of the Dodgers. This season, the defending champions marched into the National League Championship Series.
The Milwaukee Brewers have had Front Row Amy in the, well, front row of their historic season. They are up 2-0 on the Dodgers in the series and, if they oust Los Angeles, will reach only their second World Series in franchise history.
Betts was on the other side of the diamond when Hart went viral in the 2018 World Series for cheering on her team against the Boston Red Sox. Now, Betts and the Dodgers attempt a comeback in a bid to reach, and win, their third consecutive World Series.
Why did Mary Hart go viral during Dodgers' 2018 World Series?
Mary Hart cheered on the Dodgers throughout the 2018 World Series against the Boston Red Sox, even attending the first two games with her husband, Burt Sugarman, at Fenway Park.
During the historic 18-inning Game 3 in Los Angeles, she did her best to throw off Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel. She stood in the crowd to the side of home plate late in the matchup and imitated the closer's unique pitching stance where he leaned over at a 90-degree angle with his arm at his side. While wearing her signature bright blue vintage Dodgers sweater, she bobbed up and down, catching the attention of the internet and of fans watching.
"I noticed how peculiar it was, just mechanically. How does he get his arms around and everything?" Hart told MLB.com ahead of Game 4. "It was just kind of spontaneous – I'm going to get up there and do what he's doing. ...
"There was a little bit of, 'Maybe I can throw him off a little.' He's a hell of a pitcher."
Why did Mary Hart become a Dodgers fan?
Mary Hart moved to Los Angeles in 1979, she told MLB.com. Soon after, she was a bat girl for the Hollywood Stars minor league game at Dodger Stadium and met Tommy Lasorda. She told him of her dream to sing the National Anthem at a Dodgers game and he made it happen. She's had a fierce loyalty to the team ever since.
Oct 14, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; The NLCS and T-Mobile logos in the dugout at the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Uniqlo Field at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Dodgers make a third attempt at their first victory of the National League Championship Series.
Shohei Ohtani bats sixth for the first time since September 19, 2020 while with the Angels. Will Smith went from batting third in Game 1 of this series, down to fifth in Game 2 and now seventh in Game 3.
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