Friday night baseball lights up Dodger Stadium as the Los Angeles Dodgers (58-39) host the Milwaukee Brewers (56-40) in the opening game of a pivotal three-game series. The action kicks off at 10:10 p.m. ET, with fans tuning in across multiple platforms including SportsNet LA, FDSWI, and live streaming on Fubo, offering a front-row seat to this National League showdown.
The Dodgers come into this series boasting one of the most formidable offenses in Major League Baseball. Ranking second in the league with 145 home runs, Los Angeles also leads MLB in total runs scored, putting up 518 runs at an impressive rate of 5.3 per game. Their team batting average stands at a robust .257, placing them fourth among all teams. Key contributors include Shohei Ohtani, who sports a .276 batting average with 32 home runs and 60 RBIs, making him a constant threat at the plate. Alongside him, Will Smith leads the team with a .323 average, complemented by Andy Pages’ .285 average and 17 home runs, Freddie Freeman’s consistent .300 average, and Mookie Betts’ 11 homers and 45 RBIs.
On the mound, the Dodgers will start right-hander Tyler Glasnow, who has made six starts this season with a 1-0 record, a 3.52 ERA, and an impressive 11 strikeouts per nine innings. Glasnow’s last outing was particularly noteworthy; on July 9, he threw five scoreless innings against the Brewers, showcasing his ability to stifle the opposition’s potent lineup. However, the Dodgers’ pitching staff overall has struggled recently, posting a 5.25 ERA over their last 10 games and surrendering 16 home runs during that span, hinting at potential vulnerabilities that Milwaukee could exploit.
Speaking of the Brewers, they arrive at Dodger Stadium with a respectable 56-40 record, holding the seventh-best run total in the league with 457 runs scored. Their team batting average is a solid .248, ranking 14th in MLB. Milwaukee’s power numbers, however, lag behind the Dodgers, sitting at 23rd with 93 home runs. Leading the Brewers’ offensive charge is Jackson Chourio, who has been red-hot lately. Over his last 10 games, Chourio is batting an eye-popping .378 with two home runs and 11 RBIs, extending an 11-game hitting streak. Christian Yelich continues to be a cornerstone for Milwaukee, tallying 19 home runs and 65 RBIs this season. Other contributors include Sal Frelick, who maintains a team-high .294 batting average, Brice Turang, and William Contreras, all providing depth to the lineup.
On the pitching side, Quinn Priester will take the mound for the Brewers. Priester has been a solid presence this season with a 7-2 record and a 3.55 ERA across 12 starts. His recent performance out of the bullpen was notable; he pitched six innings against the Washington Nationals, allowing just two earned runs and four hits. Milwaukee’s pitching staff has been stingy over the past 10 games, posting a 2.53 ERA and limiting opponents to just 10 home runs, a stark contrast to the Dodgers’ recent struggles on the mound.
Both teams are dealing with injuries that could impact the series. The Dodgers are missing several key players, including Max Muncy (knee), Kiké Hernández (elbow), and a host of others on the 60-day injured list, such as Michael Kopech and Roki Sasaki. The Brewers have their own injury concerns, with Sal Frelick listed as day-to-day with a hamstring issue and Rhys Hoskins sidelined with a thumb injury. These absences will test the depth of both rosters as the series unfolds.
From a betting perspective, the Dodgers enter as favorites with -190 moneyline odds, while the Brewers are underdogs at +158. Los Angeles is favored on the run line at -1.5, and the over/under for the game is set at 8.5 runs. Experts predict a tight contest with a projected score of Dodgers 5, Brewers 4, and a total run count staying under 8.5. The win probabilities reflect a closely matched battle, with the Dodgers holding a slight edge at 52% to Milwaukee’s 48%.
Recent form adds intriguing layers to the matchup. The Dodgers have struggled somewhat in their last 10 outings, going 3-7 and averaging just three runs per game, despite hitting nine home runs in that span. Will Smith has been a bright spot, blasting three homers in the last 10 games, while Miguel Rojas has contributed with a .320 batting average and two home runs during the same period. Conversely, the Brewers have been riding high with an 8-2 record over their last 10 games, averaging five runs and matching the Dodgers with nine home runs. Jackson Chourio’s hot streak and Andrew Vaughn’s .429 average with two homers in recent games underscore Milwaukee’s offensive momentum.
Looking ahead, this series is critical for both teams as they jockey for playoff positioning. The Dodgers will continue their schedule against the Brewers with games on July 19 and 20 before facing the Twins from July 21-23. The Brewers, after their Dodgers series, head to the Mariners for a three-game set. These next few games could shape the trajectory of both clubs as the MLB season races toward its final months.
Fans eager to catch the live action can tune in on SportsNet LA or FDSWI, or stream the games on Fubo, ensuring no one misses a pitch from this exciting National League showdown. Radio listeners can follow the Dodgers on AM570 and KTNQ 1020, while Brewers fans can tune into WTMJ 620.
As first pitch approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be a fiercely competitive series between two talented teams. Will the Dodgers’ powerful offense and home-field advantage prevail, or can the Brewers capitalize on their pitching strength and recent offensive surge to steal a series on the road? The stage is set, and the baseball world will be watching closely.
