Brewers Defeat Dodgers 2-1 in NLCS Opener at Milwaukee

The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 at American Family Field on Sunday in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, overcoming an early deficit with a fourth-inning home run and strong bullpen performance to take the opening win.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Brewers entered the series with baseball's best record, highest batting average and strongest bullpen. The Dodgers held a 1-0 lead after three innings before Milwaukee rallied.

Brice Turang tied the game with a home run in the fourth inning, and Milwaukee moved ahead in the fifth after Garrett Mitchell reached base, Cooper Pratt delivered a sacrifice bunt and Luis Lara drove in the go-ahead run with a single.

The Brewers bullpen then held the Dodgers scoreless over the final four innings, allowing only two singles. Los Angeles also ended three innings with double plays, limiting its scoring opportunities.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team expected a difficult series against Milwaukee after Game 1.

"Yeah, you can’t go into a long series against a team that has the best record in baseball and expect to just win four," said Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager.

Roberts added that Milwaukee made key plays and pitches during the opener, while the Dodgers struggled to capitalize on their chances.

"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," said Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager.

Will Smith went hitless in three at-bats and entered the game one for 19 during the postseason, according to Roberts, who remained confident the catcher could produce a key hit.

Shohei Ohtani recorded one hit in three at-bats and was three for 16 in the postseason. The Dodgers were scheduled to start Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2 against Logan Henderson as they looked to even the best-of-seven series.

Turang said Milwaukee's approach has centered on players accepting their roles and continuing to improve through experience.

"I think the buy-in factor with everyone buying into what we’re trying to accomplish and kind of our style of play. Then not only that, like guys are getting more experience, they’re learning the game — even for me, still learning, getting experience. That’s a big factor in this," said Brice Turang, Brewers infielder.

Turang also addressed how the team responds when facing difficult moments during games.

"Then not giving up when we are behind in the game and knowing that we can do it, we can make up runs. This group is really, really good with that," said Brice Turang, Brewers infielder.