The Milwaukee Brewers, despite MLB’s best record, face the favored Dodgers in the 2025 NLCS, seeking revenge for their 2018 loss.

The Milwaukee Brewers, despite finishing with MLB’s best regular-season record, are embracing an underdog role ahead of the 2025 NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are favored at minus-220 and boast a $509.5 million payroll. The Brewers, playing in baseball’s smallest market and with no World Series titles, won all six regular-season matchups against the Dodgers, a fact that frustrates Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who praised Milwaukee’s toughness and defense. The series begins in Milwaukee with Blake Snell set to start for the Dodgers, while the Brewers may use an opener. Shohei Ohtani, despite a recent offensive slump, is expected to pitch in one game, and rookie Roki Sasaki is poised to debut as a key bullpen weapon. The Brewers, seeking revenge for their 2018 NLCS loss, are fueled by strong performances from Jackson Chourio, Andrew Vaughn, and William Contreras in the NLDS.