The Milwaukee Brewers are on the brink of elimination as they face the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Friday. The game will take place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:38 p.m. ET and available for viewing on TBS, TruTV, and HBO Max. Currently, the Dodgers lead the best-of-seven series 3-0, putting the Brewers in a must-win situation.
In Game 3, the Brewers struggled at the plate, managing only four hits and striking out 12 times during their 3-1 defeat as +147 underdogs. The team has not yet named a starting pitcher for the upcoming game but is likely to employ an opener strategy. Left-handed pitcher Jose Quintana is anticipated to take over for bulk innings, having not pitched in over a week.
The Dodgers, on the other hand, exhibit confidence and momentum, thanks in part to the recent performance of Shohei Ohtani. Despite his struggles this postseason, where he is hitting .158 with six hits in 38 at-bats, including two home runs, Ohtani’s lead-off triple in Game 3 serves as a glimmer of hope. Historically, Ohtani has a .202 batting average in postseason play, which adds to the pressure on him to deliver significant contributions.
Quintana enters this matchup with an 11-7 record and a 3.96 ERA, having made 24 regular-season starts. His last appearance was a no-decision in a 4-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS, where he pitched three innings without allowing any earned runs. In contrast, Ohtani boasts a 1-1 record and a 2.87 ERA from 14 regular-season starts. He achieved a win during his last outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, where he pitched six innings with three earned runs.
BetMGM Sportsbook has established the odds for this game with the Brewers listed at +165 on the moneyline, indicating a potential return of $165 on a $100 bet, while the Dodgers sit at -200. The run line favors the Dodgers at -1.5 (+110) against the Brewers at +1.5 (-130). The over/under for the contest is set at 7.5 with the Under having prevailed in all three games of the series.
Despite the overwhelming challenge, there remains a sense of determination among the Brewers as they aim to extend the series back to Milwaukee. The unique betting insights suggest a potential turnaround for the Brewers, who might find inspiration in their urgency to avoid a sweep. Some predictions indicate a possible upset with a 4-2 victory for the Brewers, should they harness their full capabilities and push through their recent struggles.
As the postseason continues to unfold, both teams exhibit the unpredictability and excitement that make baseball thrilling, leaving fans eager for the outcome of this pivotal Game 4.