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2018 National League Championship Series
2018 National League Championship Series
2018 National League Championship Series
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2018 National League Championship Series
Team (Wins) Managers Season
Los Angeles Dodgers (4) Dave Roberts 92–71 (.564), GA: 1
Milwaukee Brewers (3) Craig Counsell 96–67 (.589), GA: 1
DatesOctober 12–20
MVPCody Bellinger (Los Angeles)
UmpiresScott Barry (Games 1–2)
Gerry Davis (crew chief)
Greg Gibson (Games 3–7)
Brian Gorman, Alan Porter, Hunter Wendelstedt, Jim Wolf
Broadcast
TelevisionFS1 (Games 1, 3–7)
Fox (Game 2)
TV announcersJoe Buck, John Smoltz, Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci
RadioESPN
Radio announcersDan Shulman, Chris Singleton and Buster Olney
NLDS
← 2017 NLCS 2019 →

The 2018 National League Championship Series was a best-of-seven playoff in Major League Baseball’s 2018 postseason pitting the top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers against the second-seeded Los Angeles Dodgers, for the National League (NL) pennant and the right to play in the 2018 World Series against the AL Champions, the Boston Red Sox.

The series was the 49th in league history, with Fox airing all games in the United States. This series was the first time two teams that won their division in a tiebreaker game faced each other in a playoff series, as well as the first postseason match-up between the Brewers and Dodgers. For the first time since 2012, the NLCS reached a game seven, with the Dodgers defeating the Brewers and winning back-to-back pennants for the first time since 1977–1978. The Dodgers lost in five games to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.

For the second year, Major League Baseball sold presenting sponsorships to all of its postseason series; as with the ALCS, this NLCS was sponsored by Google Assistant and was officially known as the National League Championship Series presented by Google Assistant.[1]

Background

[edit]

The Brewers won the National League Central division for the first time since 2011 in a tie-breaker game over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, and then swept the Colorado Rockies in the National League Division Series. Dating back to the regular season, the Brewers had won 11 straight going into the NLCS. By virtue of their regular season record, highest in the league, the Brewers held home-field advantage throughout the National League playoffs.

This was the Brewers’ third League Championship Series and second in the National League, their prior NL appearance being a 2011 NLCS loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in six games. Milwaukee also appeared in and won the 1982 ALCS, occurring during their 29-year stay in the American League.

Like the Brewers, the Dodgers won the National League West in a tie-breaker game, defeating the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium for their sixth straight division title. The Dodgers then beat the Atlanta Braves in four games in the National League Division Series. This was the Dodgers’ third straight appearance in the NLCS, and their fourth appearance in the past six seasons. Overall, this was their 13th NLCS trip, tying the Cardinals for most appearances by a team.

This was the first ever playoff matchup between the Brewers and Dodgers. The two cities did meet with the pennant on the line in 1959 when the Dodgers beat the Milwaukee Braves (now the Atlanta Braves) in a best-of-three playoff. However, MLB counts the tie-breaker series as regular season games.

This was also the first ever League Championship Series between two teams that won tiebreakers, and only the third postseason meeting of any sort between two MLB teams involved in tiebreakers. The first ever such meeting was the 2018 National League Wild Card Game in which the Rockies defeated the Cubs and the second was the NLDS in which the Brewers defeated the Rockies. The Dodgers became the first tiebreaker team since the 2007 Colorado Rockies to reach the World Series.

Los Angeles won four of their seven games against Milwaukee during the regular season.

The Brewers and Dodgers were considered the most serious suitors for Manny Machado, the biggest star traded near the 2018 trade deadline. On July 18, 2018, Machado was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Yusniel Diaz, Dean Kremer, Rylan Bannon, Breyvic Valera and Zach Pop.[2] He made his debut as a Dodger on July 20 against the Milwaukee Brewers and had two singles and two walks. Throughout the National League Championship Series, Machado caught the ire of Brewer fans for his controversial play.

Team statistics

[edit]

For the 2018 regular season.[3]

Stat Los Angeles (MLB rank) Milwaukee (MLB rank) Type
Batting average .250 (14th) .252 (12th) Batting
OPS .774 (3rd) .747 (9th)
Home runs 235 (2nd) 218 (4th)
ERA 3.38 (2nd) 3.73 (5th) Pitching
Strikeouts 1,565 (3rd) 1,428 (9th)
BAA .230 (4th) .233 (5th)

Summary

[edit]

Los Angeles won the series, 4–3.

Game Date Score Location Time Attendance 
1 October 12 Los Angeles Dodgers – 5, Milwaukee Brewers – 6 Miller Park 4:02 43,615[4] 
2 October 13 Los Angeles Dodgers – 4, Milwaukee Brewers – 3 Miller Park 3:31 43,905[5] 
3 October 15 Milwaukee Brewers – 4, Los Angeles Dodgers – 0 Dodger Stadium 3:25 52,793[6] 
4 October 16 Milwaukee Brewers – 1, Los Angeles Dodgers – 2 (13) Dodger Stadium 5:15 53,764[7] 
5 October 17 Milwaukee Brewers – 2, Los Angeles Dodgers – 5 Dodger Stadium 3:35 54,502[8] 
6 October 19 Los Angeles Dodgers – 2, Milwaukee Brewers – 7 Miller Park 3:34 43,619[9] 
7 October 20 Los Angeles Dodgers – 5, Milwaukee Brewers – 1 Miller Park 3:15 44,097[10]

Game summaries

[edit]

Game 1

[edit]
Miller Park hosted its first NLCS since 2011
Friday, October 12, 2018 7:10 pm (CDT) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 65 °F (18 °C), roof closed
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Los Angeles 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 5 8 4
Milwaukee 0 0 2 3 0 0 1 0 X 6 11 0
WP: Brandon Woodruff (1–0)   LP: Clayton Kershaw (0–1)   Sv: Corey Knebel (1)
Home runs:
LAD: Manny Machado (1)
MIL: Brandon Woodruff (1), Jesús Aguilar (1)
Attendance: 43,615
Boxscore

Brewers announcer and former MLB player Bob Uecker threw the ceremonial first pitch.[11] Clayton Kershaw started game one for the Dodgers, while Gio González started for the Brewers. The Dodgers scored first, on a homer by Manny Machado in the second inning, which was the only run and hit allowed by González who was replaced after only two innings. His replacement, relief pitcher Brandon Woodruff, homered off Kershaw to tie the game in the third inning. A sacrifice fly by Hernán Pérez scored Lorenzo Cain to put the Brewers up 2–1 after three. A two-run pinch-hit single by Domingo Santana in the fourth inning extended the lead to three and a single by Ryan Braun scored Santana to make it 5–1. Kershaw allowed five runs on six hits and two walks in a little over three innings, the shortest post-season outing of his career. Yasmani Grandal of the Dodgers became the first catcher in post-season history to have two errors and two passed balls in the same game. The Brewers added on to their lead when Jesús Aguilar hit a homer off of Julio Urías in the seventh inning. The Dodgers loaded the bases in the eighth inning against Joakim Soria and managed to score three runs on back-to-back RBI singles by Machado and Matt Kemp off of Jeremy Jeffress to narrow the gap to 6–4. Chris Taylor hit an RBI triple in the ninth off Corey Knebel, who managed to retire Justin Turner to save the 6–5 win for the Brewers.[12]

Brandon Woodruff became only the third relief pitcher in major league history to homer in a postseason game, matching the feat of Rosy Ryan (in Game 3 of the 1924 World Series) and Travis Wood (in Game 2 of the 2016 NLDS).[13]

Game 2

[edit]
Justin Turner's two-run homer gave Los Angeles the lead, and ultimately the win, in Game 2.
Saturday, October 13, 2018 3:10 pm (CDT) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 68 °F (20 °C), roof closed
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Los Angeles 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 4 9 0
Milwaukee 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 3 7 0
WP: Pedro Báez (1–0)   LP: Jeremy Jeffress (0–1)   Sv: Kenley Jansen (1)
Home runs:
LAD: Justin Turner (1)
MIL: Orlando Arcia (1), Travis Shaw (1)
Attendance: 43,905
Boxscore

Former Brewers All-Star player Prince Fielder threw the ceremonial first pitch.[14] Hyun-jin Ryu started the second game for the Dodgers and Wade Miley for the Brewers. The game remained scoreless into the fifth inning, when Orlando Arcia hit a homer to put the Brewers on the board. They scored a second run on an RBI groundout by Ryan Braun. Ryu was lifted after 41⁄3 innings, he allowed two runs on six hits with four strikeouts. Miley pitched 52⁄3 shutout innings with no walks and only two hits allowed. Travis Shaw homered off Alex Wood in the sixth inning to extend the lead to three. An RBI single by Cody Bellinger in the seventh inning off Corbin Burnes gave the Dodgers their first run of the game. A bases loaded walk issued by Jeremy Jeffress scored another run for the Dodgers. The Dodgers took the lead in the top of the eighth when Justin Turner hit a two-run home run off of Jeffress. This was Turner's second career go-ahead home run in the seventh inning or later in the postseason, joining Kirk Gibson as the only other Dodger to accomplish this feat multiple times. The Dodgers bullpen kept the Brewers from scoring and they won the game 4–3 to even up the series at one all. Kenley Jansen earned his second save of the postseason.[15] This was the Brewers first loss since September 22.[16]

Game 3

[edit]
Brewers starter Jhoulys Chacín, seen here with the Angels in 2016, was the Game 3 winning pitcher.
Monday, October 15, 2018 4:40 pm (PDT) at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, 81 °F (27 °C), sunny
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Milwaukee 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 4 7 1
Los Angeles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 1
WP: Jhoulys Chacín (1–0)   LP: Walker Buehler (0–1)
Home runs:
MIL: Orlando Arcia (2)
LAD: None
Attendance: 52,793
Boxscore

Former Dodgers All-Star player Andre Ethier threw the ceremonial first pitch.[17] The Dodgers' starting pitcher was Walker Buehler, while the Brewers started Jhoulys Chacín. The Brewers scored in the top of the first inning, when Christian Yelich walked and Ryan Braun drove him in with a double. The Brewers added a second run in the sixth inning when Travis Shaw tripled and then scored on a wild pitch by Buehler. Chacín pitched 51⁄3 innings, and allowed only three hits and two walks while striking out six batters. Orlando Arcia hit a two-run homer in the seventh to put the Brewers up 4–0. Buehler pitched seven innings, allowing four runs on five hits with eight strikeouts. The Dodgers loaded the bases in the ninth against Jeremy Jeffress, but Brian Dozier struck out looking to end the game. The Brewers finished off a five-hit shutout of the Dodgers to take a two games to one lead. It was the first time the Dodgers had been shutout in a post-season game at home since Game 1 of the 1983 NLCS.[18]

Game 4

[edit]
Cody Bellinger had the game winning RBI single in the 13th inning in Game 4 to tie the NLCS at two games apiece.
Tuesday, October 16, 2018 6:10 pm (PDT) at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, 74 °F (23 °C), clear
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 R H E
Milwaukee 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 0
Los Angeles 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 7 0
WP: Julio Urías (1–0)   LP: Junior Guerra (0–1)
Attendance: 53,764
Boxscore

For Game 4, former Dodger All-Star Shawn Green threw the ceremonial first pitch.[19] The Brewers started Gio González on short rest, after his Game 1 start. The Dodgers countered with Rich Hill, making his first appearance of the series. The Dodgers took an early lead on a RBI single by Brian Dozier in the bottom of the first inning. González left the game in the second inning after injuring his ankle fielding a grounder from the first batter of the inning.[20] He allowed one run on two hits and one walk. Domingo Santana tied the game up, driving Orlando Arcia in with a pinch-hit double in the fifth inning. Hill pitched five innings, with the one run allowed on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts. There was no further scoring through the end of regulation. In the 10th inning, benches briefly emptied after Manny Machado appeared to intentionally kick Milwaukee first baseman Jesús Aguilar on a ground out.[21] In the bottom of the 13th, Machado singled with one out, and advanced to second on a wild pitch with two outs. Cody Bellinger hit a walk-off single to score Machado. Junior Guerra picked up the loss in his fourth inning of relief for Milwaukee, while Julio Urías, who had pitched the top of the 13th for Los Angeles, got the win. The game lasted five hours and 15 minutes, making it the second longest NLCS game; Game 5 of the 1999 NLCS had lasted five hours and 46 minutes.[22]

Game 5

[edit]
In Game 5, Clayton Kershaw allowed just one run in seven innings pitched, getting the win as the Dodgers went ahead in the series, 3–2.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018 2:06 pm (PDT) at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, 82 °F (28 °C), sunny
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Milwaukee 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 5 1
Los Angeles 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 0 X 5 9 0
WP: Clayton Kershaw (1–1)   LP: Brandon Woodruff (1–1)   Sv: Kenley Jansen (2)
Attendance: 54,502
Boxscore

With the Dodgers in danger of going down 3–2, this game featured the second starts of the series for Clayton Kershaw and for the Brewers Wade Miley, the latter of whom was pitching on short rest. Miley (who throws left-handed) walked the first batter he faced and was immediately removed by Brewers manager Craig Counsell in favor of Brandon Woodruff (who throws right-handed).[23] The Brewers got on the board first in the third inning with an RBI double by Lorenzo Cain. Austin Barnes drove in Chris Taylor with a single in the fifth inning to tie the score. A single by Max Muncy drove in the go-ahead run (Justin Turner) in the sixth inning. A pinch-hit single by Yasiel Puig added another run to put the Dodgers up by two after six innings. Woodruff wound up pitching 51⁄3 innings, and allowed the three runs on five hits, one walk and two hit batters while striking out eight. In the seventh inning, the Dodgers added two more runs. Turner drove in a run with a single off Joakim Soria and another run scored on a ground out by pinch hitter Brian Dozier. Kershaw pitched seven innings, allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out nine. He also walked twice as a batter, becoming just the third pitcher in the last 20 years to do so in a post-season game (Jon Lester in the 2016 NLCS and Derek Lowe in the 2008 NLDS).[24] Pinch hitter Curtis Granderson doubled in a run off Ryan Madson in the ninth inning to cut the score to 5–2. Kenley Jansen came in and struck out Mike Moustakas to end the game.[25]

Game 6

[edit]
Milwaukee reliever Corey Knebel pitched 1+2⁄3 innings without allowing a hit and got the Game 6 win.
Friday, October 19, 2018 7:39 pm (CDT) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 66 °F (19 °C), roof closed
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Los Angeles 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 5 0
Milwaukee 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 X 7 11 0
WP: Corey Knebel (1–0)   LP: Hyun-jin Ryu (0–1)
Home runs:
LAD: David Freese (1)
MIL: None
Attendance: 43,619
Boxscore

The sixth game in the series featured a rematch between Game 2 starters Hyun-jin Ryu and Wade Miley. Following his abbreviated start in Game 5, when he faced a single batter, Miley became the first pitcher in 88 years to start back-to-back games in the postseason. The last pitcher to do so was George Earnshaw of the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1930 World Series. Miley also was just the sixth pitcher to start three games in a league championship series.[26] Commissioner Emeritus of Baseball and former Brewers owner Bud Selig threw the ceremonial first pitch.[27] David Freese, batting leadoff for the first time in the series, opened the game with a home run off of Miley to give the Dodgers the lead. Back-to-back RBI doubles by Jesús Aguilar and Mike Moustakas and a RBI single by Erik Kratz scored four runs for the Brewers in the bottom of the inning. A double by Ryan Braun added another run in the second. Ryu was removed after three innings. He allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks with only three strikeouts. Freese drove in a second run for the Dodgers in the fifth inning with a double. Miley allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 41⁄3 innings. A wild pitch by Kenta Maeda in the seventh inning scored another run and a single by Aguilar off Rich Hill in the eighth put the Brewers up 7–2, which wound up being the final score, setting up a game seven.[28]

For his role in the benches clearing confrontation in Game 4, Manny Machado was booed by Milwaukee fans for the entirety of all his at-bats throughout the remainder of the series.[29]

Game 7

[edit]
Yasiel Puig's three-run homer in the sixth inning were the final runs in a 5–1 Dodgers victory.
Saturday, October 20, 2018 7:10 pm (CDT) at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 64 °F (18 °C), roof closed
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Los Angeles 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 5 10 0
Milwaukee 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 7 0
WP: Ryan Madson (1–0)   LP: Jhoulys Chacín (1–1)
Home runs:
LAD: Cody Bellinger (1), Yasiel Puig (1)
MIL: Christian Yelich (1)
Attendance: 44,097
Boxscore

For the first time since 2012, when the Giants defeated the Cardinals,[30] and the tenth time in NLCS history, the NLCS went to a game 7. With this NLCS the Dodgers tied for the fourth-most game sevens in history with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox.[31] The starting pitchers—Walker Buehler for Los Angeles and Jhoulys Chacín for Milwaukee—were the same as Game 3, won by the Brewers. Hall of Fame inductee and former Brewer Robin Yount threw the ceremonial first pitch.[32] Christian Yelich homered off Buehler in the first inning to give the Brewers the early lead and then Cody Bellinger hit a two-run homer in the second to put the Dodgers on top. Chacín only pitched the first two innings, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk. Buehler pitched 42⁄3 innings, allowing one run on six hits with seven strikeouts. Chris Taylor made a run saving catch in the bottom of the fifth off the bat of Yelich and then Yasiel Puig hit a three-run home run off Jeremy Jeffress in the sixth to extend the lead. The Dodgers would go on to win 5–1 as Clayton Kershaw retired Shaw, Aguilar and Moustakas to claim their second straight National League title, 40 years after they accomplished the feat in 1977 and 1978. The Dodgers were the first team to clinch a pennant on the road in a game seven since the 2006 Cardinals.[33] This was also Los Angeles' first playoff series win where they did not win Game 1 since the 1988 NLCS, a span of 18 playoff series in between.

Cody Bellinger was named the NLCS MVP, becoming the youngest player to win the award.

Composite line score

[edit]

2018 NLCS (4–3): Los Angeles Dodgers beat Milwaukee Brewers

Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 R H E
Los Angeles Dodgers 2 3 0 0 2 5 4 5 1 0 0 0 1 23 53 5
Milwaukee Brewers 6 1 3 3 3 2 4 1 1 0 0 0 0 24 56 2
Total attendance: 336,295   Average attendance: 48,042

See also

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References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2018 National League Championship Series

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2018 National League Championship Series (NLCS) was a best-of-seven playoff series in (MLB) contested from October 12 to 20, , to determine the National League (NL) champion and advance that team to the . The top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers, who finished the regular season with the NL's best record of 96–67 as Central Division winners, faced the , the defending NL champions and West Division winners with a 92–71 record who earned a first-round bye after defeating the in the Division Series. The Dodgers rallied to win the series four games to three, securing their second consecutive NL pennant despite the Brewers forcing a decisive Game 7. The series was characterized by intense, low-scoring battles and dramatic turns, including one extra-inning game and a total of 47 runs scored across seven contests played alternately at in and Miller Park in . Key highlights included the Brewers' 6–5 victory in Game 1, highlighted by Brandon Woodruff's solo and a strong performance, the Dodgers' 2–1 win in 13 innings during Game 4 capped by Cody Bellinger's single, and the Brewers' 7–2 rout in Game 6 to force Game 7, powered by Christian Yelich's three-run homer. In the clinching Game 7, the Dodgers exploded for five runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by Yasiel Puig's three-run , to prevail 5–1 behind strong relief pitching from Alex Wood and others. Cody Bellinger was named the NLCS for his pivotal contributions, batting .200 with three home runs, including a two-run shot in Game 7, and making a crucial defensive play in Game 4. The matchup also drew attention for controversy, particularly Milwaukee outfielder Christian Yelich's criticism of Dodgers Manny Machado as a "dirty player" following Machado's collision with first baseman at the bag in Game 4. Ultimately, the Dodgers advanced to face the champion Boston Red Sox in the , though they fell in five games.

Background

Regular season performance

The Milwaukee Brewers compiled a 96-67 record during the regular season, including a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs in a one-game on that secured the division title. The team demonstrated particular strength at home, posting a 51-30 mark at Miller Park, which contributed to their overall success in a competitive division. The ended the regular season with a 92-71 record, earning the [National League West](/page/National League West) crown via a 5-2 win against the Colorado Rockies on October 1. After enduring a mid-season slump that saw them fall to second place in their division, the Dodgers mounted a strong late-season surge, finishing with an 18-9 record to force the playoff . In their seven regular-season meetings, the Dodgers held a 4-3 edge over the Brewers, including a 5-3 in the final game of their July series at . The Brewers showcased a solid offense with a team of .252 and 631 runs scored, ranking among the league's more productive lineups. In contrast, the Dodgers relied on pitching dominance, posting a team of 3.38, anchored by ace Clayton Kershaw's 2.31 and rookie Walker Buehler's 2.62 mark.

Postseason qualification

The Milwaukee Brewers advanced to the 2018 National League Championship Series by sweeping the Colorado Rockies 3–0 in the , held from October 4 to 7. In Game 1, the Brewers rallied for a 3–2 victory in 10 innings at , showcasing their bullpen depth with multiple relievers combining to close out the extra frames. They followed with shutouts in Games 2 and 3, winning 4–0 and 6–0 respectively, for an aggregate score of 13–2 that highlighted the effectiveness of their relief corps, including saves and scoreless outings from key arms like . This sweep extended the Brewers' momentum from a franchise-record 11-game that carried over from the regular season into the postseason, beginning after their September 26 clinching of a playoff spot and including their October 1 tiebreaker win over the Chicago Cubs. The Los Angeles Dodgers, as the National League's No. 2 seed, earned their NLCS berth by defeating the Atlanta Braves 3–1 in the NLDS from October 4 to 8. The Dodgers opened with back-to-back shutouts, 6–0 in Game 1 behind starter Hyun-Jin Ryu's eight strikeouts and 3–0 in Game 2 with Clayton Kershaw's seven innings of one-hit ball, secured by closer Kenley Jansen's save. After dropping Game 3 6–5 at SunTrust Park—where the Braves rallied with a grand slam by Ronald Acuña Jr.—the Dodgers rebounded in Game 4 with a 6–2 win, relying on a bullpen effort that included scoreless innings from multiple relievers to close out the series. This matchup marked the first NLCS featuring two teams that had clinched their divisions via games: the Brewers defeating the Cubs 3–1 on for the NL Central title, and the Dodgers topping the Rockies 5–2 on the same day for the NL West crown. As the higher seed with a 96–67 record, the Brewers held home-field advantage in the best-of-seven series, following the 2–3–2 format with Games 1–2 and 6–7 at Miller Park. The umpiring crew, led by crew chief Gerry Davis, consisted of Scott Barry, , , , and Brian Gorman, with Greg Gibson handling replay operations.

Series summary

Overall results

The defeated the Milwaukee Brewers four games to three in the 2018 National League Championship Series, a best-of-seven matchup that concluded with the Dodgers' victory in Game 7 on October 20, 2018, at Miller Park in . The series, which marked the first postseason meeting between the two franchises, was tied three games apiece heading into the finale. Cody Bellinger of the Dodgers was named the NLCS for his clutch performances, including a .200 (5-for-25), one , four RBIs, and critical defensive contributions such as a sensational catch in Game 4. His key hits, notably a 13th-inning single that sparked a walk-off win in Game 4 and a two-run homer in Game 7, helped propel to victory. The win advanced the Dodgers to their second consecutive appearance, where they faced the champion Boston Red Sox. Despite the Brewers outscoring the Dodgers 24 runs to 23 in aggregate across the series, Los Angeles secured the pennant through superior timely hitting and pitching in decisive moments. The seven-game series drew a total attendance of 336,295 fans.

Key statistics

The 2018 National League Championship Series went the full seven games, the second consecutive year for a seven-game NLCS following the 2017 series between the Chicago Cubs and .
TeamRunsHitsErrors
23535
Milwaukee Brewers24562
The Brewers held a narrow edge in overall offensive output, outscoring the Dodgers by one run across the series while committing fewer errors defensively. Pitching proved pivotal in the tightly contested matchup, with both staffs posting sub-3.50 . The Dodgers' pitchers compiled a 3.29 , while the Brewers' staff finished at 3.38; combined, they recorded 78 strikeouts, with the Dodgers fanning 42 Brewers batters and the Brewers striking out 36 Dodgers. Games at drew strong crowds, averaging over 54,000 fans per contest across the three matchups there. At Miller Park, the Dodgers outscored the Brewers 21–12 during the four games hosted there.

Detailed game accounts

Game 1: October 12

Game 1 of the 2018 National League Championship Series took place on at Miller Park in , where the host Brewers defeated the Dodgers 6–5 in a thrilling opener that saw rally for an early lead and hold off a late surge. Attendance was 43,615, as the crowd witnessed a matchup between Dodgers ace and Brewers opener . The Brewers, leveraging their strong home-field advantage, used a combination of timely hitting and opportunistic defense to secure the victory, setting an energetic tone for the series with their resilience against a potent Dodgers lineup. The Dodgers struck first in the second on Manny Machado's solo off González, taking a 1–0 lead, but the Brewers quickly responded in the bottom of the third. With González due up, manager pinch-hit reliever , who launched a solo to left-center off Kershaw, tying the game at 1–1; Woodruff's blast marked the first postseason by a National League since Ken Holtzman in 1974 and the first by a left-handed-hitting against a southpaw in playoff . An error on catcher allowed Hernán Pérez to reach base, and Pérez later scored on a , giving Milwaukee a 2–1 advantage. Kershaw, who labored through 62 pitches in the third, surrendered four earned runs over three innings, including three more in the fourth on a two-run single by and an RBI single by , chasing him after just one out in the frame and putting the Brewers ahead 5–1. Jesús Aguilar extended the lead to 6–1 in the seventh with a solo off Dodgers reliever , providing crucial insurance as the Dodgers' otherwise limited to one earned run over six . Woodruff, transitioning seamlessly to the mound, delivered two perfect in relief with four strikeouts, earning the win while contributing offensively in a rare dual-threat performance. The Dodgers mounted a tense comeback, scoring three runs in the eighth against closer —on a two-run single by and an RBI single by —to cut the deficit to 6–4, then added one more in the ninth on Chris Taylor's RBI triple off left-hander Xavier Cedeño. However, struck out with two on to preserve the save, capping a dramatic 6–5 victory fueled by the Brewers' 11 hits and opportunistic scoring. This resilient win highlighted 's depth and ability to overcome an early deficit, establishing momentum in the series opener.

Game 2: October 13

Game 2 of the 2018 National League Championship Series was played on October 13 at Miller Park in , with the facing the host Brewers in an effort to even the series after a 6-5 loss in Game 1. Starting pitchers were for the Dodgers and for the Brewers, with the game drawing an attendance of 43,905 and lasting 3 hours and 32 minutes. The Brewers took an early lead with Orlando Arcia's solo in the fifth inning off Ryu, followed by Ryan Braun's RBI single later in the inning with the bases loaded to make it 2-0; then added a solo in the sixth to extend the lead to 3-0, capitalizing on the Dodgers' starter who struggled with command after a strong regular season. The Dodgers mounted a comeback in the late innings, scoring two runs in the seventh against Brewers reliever to cut the deficit to 3-2, highlighted by back-to-back singles from and that drove in the runs. The pivotal moment came in the eighth when third baseman launched a two-run go-ahead off rookie , giving a 4-3 lead and ultimately securing the victory to tie the series at one game apiece; this blast followed an infield single by Chris Taylor and a walk by . Brewers closer then pitched a scoreless ninth, but the damage was done earlier as reliever was charged with the blown save for allowing the go-ahead runs in the eighth. On the mound, Ryu lasted 4.1 innings, surrendering three runs on six hits with no walks and four strikeouts, while Miley delivered a strong outing of 5.2 scoreless innings on just two hits and three strikeouts for the Brewers. Burnes, making a brief relief appearance, recorded only 0.1 innings while allowing two hits, two earned runs, and one walk. Offensively, the Dodgers collected nine hits, including Turner's homer and multiple contributions from Taylor (two hits), while stranding four runners; the Brewers managed seven hits but left eight on base, unable to capitalize after their early advantage. The win went to (1-0), who pitched 1.1 scoreless innings, with earning the save in the ninth.

Game 3: October 15

Game 3 of the 2018 National League Championship Series shifted to , where the Brewers, leading the series 1-1 after splitting the first two games in , aimed to seize road momentum against the defending National League champions. The Brewers delivered a decisive 4-0 victory, their pitching staff limiting the Dodgers to five hits and one walk while stranding multiple runners in scoring position. Attendance at the contest reached 52,793, reflecting the high stakes of the matchup. Milwaukee starter Jhoulys Chacín set the tone with 5⅓ scoreless innings, allowing three hits, two walks, and striking out six batters to earn the win. The Brewers' bullpen—Corey Knebel (1⅔ IP), (⅓ IP), (⅔ IP), and (1 IP)—completed the one-run effort, combining for 3⅔ scoreless frames and just two hits, with Jeffress navigating a tense ninth by retiring the side after consecutive one-out hits. For the Dodgers, took the loss after pitching 7 innings, surrendering 6 hits and 4 earned runs, including a pivotal two-run , while fanning 8 but unable to prevent Milwaukee from building a lead. Offensively, the Brewers capitalized on timely hitting against Buehler. opened the scoring with an RBI double in the first inning, plating for a 1-0 lead. In the sixth, tripled and scored on a wild pitch to extend the advantage to 2-0. Arcia then delivered the knockout blow in the seventh with a two-run homer to right field—his third of the postseason—pushing the score to 4-0 and igniting Brewers celebrations. Defensively, turned a crucial in the fourth inning, confirmed by replay review after Manny Machado's slide into second base, thwarting a Dodgers rally and preserving the bid. This dominant performance gave the Brewers a 2-1 series lead, setting up a pivotal Game 4.

Game 4: October 16

Game 4 of the 2018 National League Championship Series, played on October 16 at , pitted the against the Milwaukee Brewers in a low-scoring affair that extended into , ultimately resulting in a 2–1 Dodgers victory after 13 frames. The Dodgers struck first in the bottom of the first inning when singled to score , giving a 1–0 lead. The Brewers evened the score in the top of the fifth on a RBI double that plated , and the game remained tied at 1–1 through nine innings as both starting pitchers—Rich Hill for the Dodgers (5 IP, 1 ER) and for the Brewers (1 IP, 1 ER before exiting with an injury)—struggled early, forcing heavy reliance on the bullpens. Attendance was 53,764, the largest crowd of the series. The contest turned into a pitchers' duel in extras, with both teams' relief corps showing signs of fatigue after the series' demanding schedule. The Dodgers used eight pitchers total, including Kenley Jansen for two scoreless innings, while the Brewers deployed seven arms, with closer Josh Hader limited to one scoreless inning on 20 pitches after appearing the previous night. The game lasted 5 hours and 15 minutes, highlighting the exhaustion of the bullpens, as Milwaukee's Junior Guerra surrendered the decisive run after 3.2 innings of relief. Offensively, the game featured scant power, with only two extra-base hits in total—both doubles by the Brewers (Santana and Manny Piña)—underscoring the tense, grinding nature of the matchup. In the bottom of the , the Dodgers broke through for the walk-off win when singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on Cody Bellinger's two-out single off Guerra, tying the series at 2–2. Earlier tension arose in the 10th when Machado, running to first, clipped Jesús Aguilar's leg on a groundout, prompting benches to clear in a brief standoff, though no ejections occurred. earned the win with a scoreless 13th for .

Game 5: October 17

Game 5 of the 2018 National League Championship Series was played on October 17 at in , with the Dodgers hosting the Brewers in a pivotal matchup that saw return to the mound. The Dodgers won 5–2, taking a 3–2 series lead, in front of an announced of 54,502. Kershaw delivered a strong bounce-back performance after struggling in Game 1, where he allowed four runs over 4⅓ ; in this outing, he pitched seven , surrendering just three hits and one earned run while walking two and striking out nine. For the Brewers, starter lasted only one batter, walking leadoff hitter before manager pulled him in favor of reliever , who took the loss after 5⅓ innings in which he allowed five hits, three earned runs, one walk, and eight strikeouts. The Brewers managed only five hits total, with accounting for two, including an RBI double in the third inning that scored the game's first run off Kershaw. In the ninth, pinch-hitter added an RBI double to score Jesus Aguilar, trimming the deficit to 5–2 before closed out the save. The Dodgers broke through offensively against the Milwaukee bullpen, collecting nine hits en route to their victory. They tied the score at 1–1 in the fifth on an RBI single following an error by Brewers shortstop . In the sixth, and delivered consecutive RBI singles to give a 3–1 advantage. The Dodgers then pulled away in the seventh with a RBI single and a sacrifice fly, plating two more runs against . No home runs were hit in the contest.

Game 6: October 19

Game 6 of the 2018 National League Championship Series returned to Miller Park in , where the Brewers hosted the Dodgers with the series tied 3-3. Facing elimination, the Brewers jumped to an early lead against Dodgers starter , scoring four runs in the first inning to take control of the contest. The game concluded with a 7-2 for in front of 43,619 fans, forcing a decisive Game 7. The Dodgers struck first when led off the top of the first with a off Brewers opener , giving a 1-0 advantage. However, the Brewers responded immediately in the bottom half. opened with an infield single, walked, and walked to load the bases. then doubled to right field, scoring Cain and Yelich to tie the game at 2-1 before followed with another double that plated Aguilar for a 3-1 lead. added a run-scoring single to make it 4-1. In the second inning, Braun doubled again to score Yelich from first, extending the Brewers' lead to 5-1. Ryu lasted only three innings, surrendering five earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three, as the Dodgers' early bullpen usage limited their starters' effectiveness in the series. Miley pitched 4.1 innings for , allowing five hits, two earned runs, two walks, and four strikeouts before handing off to the . earned the win with 1.2 scoreless innings, while , , and combined for the remainder, shutting down the Dodgers over 4.1 frames without allowing a run. The Dodgers narrowed the gap to 5-2 in the fifth when Freese doubled and later scored on a groundout, but Milwaukee's relievers held firm. The Brewers added two insurance runs in the seventh on Aguilar's double and a wild pitch that scored him, followed by his RBI single in the eighth. Offensively, Milwaukee collected 11 hits, with Aguilar going 3-for-4 and driving in three runs, while Yelich contributed two hits and two runs scored; recorded one hit in a late pinch-hitting appearance. The Dodgers managed just five hits total, highlighting their struggle against the Brewers' pitching staff in the late innings. The attendance of 43,619 reflected a strong turnout despite the short travel turnaround following Game 5 in .

Game 7: October 20

Game 7 of the 2018 National League Championship Series was played on October 20 at Miller Park in , , with the defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-1 to win the series 4-3 and advance to the . The attendance was 44,097, marking a sellout crowd for the decisive contest. The Brewers struck first in the bottom of the first inning when led off with a solo to right-center off Dodgers starter , giving a 1-0 lead. Buehler quickly settled in, retiring the next 10 batters he faced and striking out seven over 4⅔ innings while allowing just one run. In the top of the second, the Dodgers responded with a two-run homer by to right field, scoring who had reached on a bunt single, to take a 2-1 lead that they would never relinquish. The Dodgers' bullpen took over after Buehler, with Ryan Madson, Alex Wood (briefly), Kenley Jansen, and Clayton Kershaw combining for 4⅓ scoreless innings to close out the victory. Kershaw pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out two, to secure the win and send Los Angeles to its second consecutive World Series. For the Brewers, starter Jhoulys Chacín lasted only two innings, surrendering two runs on three hits, while the Milwaukee bullpen, including closer Josh Hader who threw three scoreless innings, kept the game close until the sixth. Offensively, the Dodgers tallied 10 hits, highlighted by Yasiel Puig's 3-for-4 night that included a three-run homer to left-center in the sixth inning off , extending the lead to 5-1. The Brewers managed seven hits but no extra-base hits beyond Yelich's homer, stranding opportunities in the fifth and seventh innings. Defensively, Chris Taylor made a pivotal run-saving catch in the fifth inning on a drive by , robbing of a potential tying run. , who earned NLCS MVP honors for his series performance, also contributed with his Gold Glove-caliber play in the outfield.

Composite box score

The 2018 National League Championship Series featured a closely contested matchup between the and Brewers, with the Dodgers prevailing 4 games to 3. The below summarizes the runs scored by for each game, along with totals for runs (R), hits (H), and errors (E). High-scoring innings (2 or more runs) are highlighted in bold for emphasis.

Game 1: October 12 (at )

Team123456789RHE
010000031584
Brewers00230010X6110

Game 2: October 13 (at )

Team123456789RHE
000000220490
Milwaukee Brewers000021000370

Game 3: October 15 (at )

Team123456789RHE
Milwaukee Brewers100001200481
000000000050

Game 4: October 16 (at , 13 innings)

Team12345678910111213RHE
Milwaukee Brewers0000100000000180
1000000000001270

Game 5: October 17 (at )

Team123456789RHE
Milwaukee Brewers001000001251
00001220X590

Game 6: October 19 (at Milwaukee)

Team123456789RHE
100010000250
Milwaukee Brewers41000011X7110

Game 7: October 20 (at Milwaukee)

Team123456789RHE
0200030005100
Milwaukee Brewers100000000170

Series Aggregates

  • Los Angeles Dodgers: 23 R, 53 H, 4 E
  • Milwaukee Brewers: 24 R, 57 H, 2 E
The Brewers led in total runs (24-23) and out-hit the Dodgers, but the Dodgers committed more errors; the Brewers scored first in four of the seven games, establishing early leads in Games 1, 3, and 6.

Player and team performances

Offensive leaders

The 2018 National League Championship Series featured offensive output that was marked by clutch hitting in high-leverage situations rather than overwhelming power, with both the and Milwaukee Brewers combining for just 9 s across 7 games. The Brewers held a slight edge in team at .234, collecting 60 hits and scoring 24 runs, while the Dodgers batted .231 with 55 hits and 23 runs scored. Despite the low totals, key moments like walk-off hits and a rare provided the series' dramatic flair. Individual batting leaders reflected the series' competitive balance, with no player exceeding a .364 average in limited at-bats. For the Dodgers, outfielder led with a .364 (8-for-22), while followed at .333 (7-for-21, 1 HR, 4 RBI), including a pivotal three-run homer in the sixth inning of Game 7 that broke a 1-1 tie and propelled to a 5-1 victory. contributed a .296 average (8-for-27, 1 HR, 3 RBI), and shortstop hit .241 (7-for-29, 1 HR, 3 RBI), highlighted by a two-run homer in the eighth inning of Game 2 that gave the Dodgers a 4-3 lead in their eventual win. , named series MVP despite a .200 average (5-for-25, 1 HR, 4 RBI), delivered in critical spots, including a walk-off single in the 13th inning of Game 4 to secure a 2-1 triumph and a two-run homer in Game 7. The Brewers' top performers included Orlando Arcia, who paced the series with a .360 average (9-for-25, 2 HR, 3 RBI) and provided power in Games 3 and 6. Lorenzo Cain batted .303 (10-for-33), offering consistent contact, while Jesús Aguilar hit .269 (7-for-26, 1 HR, 4 RBI), tying for the series lead in RBIs. Christian Yelich, the regular-season NL MVP, struggled at .179 (5-for-28, 1 HR, 1 RBI) but homered in Game 1 to tie the score at 2-2 early. A unique highlight was pitcher Brandon Woodruff's solo off in the third inning of Game 1, tying the game at 1-1 and sparking Milwaukee's 6-5 upset win—the first such postseason homer by a Brewers pitcher.
CategoryPlayer (Team)Stat
Batting AverageChris Taylor (LAD).364
Home Runs (MIL)2
RBIs (LAD)
(MIL)		4
The Brewers showcased power in Games 1 and 6, hitting three home runs combined across those contests to fuel comebacks, while the Dodgers excelled in late-inning production, batting .300 with runners in scoring position overall to capitalize on opportunities.

Pitching and defensive highlights

The pitching staff for both the and Milwaukee Brewers played pivotal roles in the 2018 National League Championship Series, with starters providing length in key games and bullpens shouldering heavy loads amid a grueling seven-game set. anchored the Dodgers' rotation with three appearances including two starts, logging 11 2/3 innings, during which he posted a 3.86 , allowed 8 hits and 4 walks, and struck out 14 batters. His performance in Game 5, where he surrendered just 1 earned run over 7 innings, helped secure a crucial 5-2 victory that gave a 3-2 series lead. For the Brewers, emerged as the series' dominant reliever, appearing in 4 games and delivering 7.2 scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts and only 1 walk, maintaining a 0.00 despite intense usage. Bullpen management tested both teams' depth, particularly after the marathon 13-inning Game 4, which lasted 5 hours and 15 minutes and forced extensive relief appearances. The Dodgers' relievers combined for 31 innings across the series, posting a 1.45 , while the Brewers' logged 45 innings with a 3.00 , highlighting Milwaukee's reliance on late-inning arms. The Brewers' "Nasty Boys" trio—Hader, , and —accounted for over 15 innings of high-leverage work; Hader handled 7.2 frames, Knebel 3.2 innings (including the Game 2 win), and Burnes 4 innings in multiple outings. Hader's workload, including consecutive appearances leading into Game 4, raised concerns about fatigue, as he had never pitched on three straight days prior to the series, though manager emphasized the need to cover the extended innings without over-relying on him. Defensively, the series featured solid outfield play and timely infield execution, though errors proved costly at times. contributed reliably in the outfield for the Dodgers, recording multiple putouts across the seven games, including key catches that preserved leads. The Brewers committed just 2 errors (by and ), compared to the Dodgers' 4 (two by ), with the latter's miscues in Game 1 allowing unearned runs. Notable defensive stands included double plays in Game 3, where Milwaukee's infield turned two to escape jams against Dodgers starter Rich Hill, helping secure a 4-0 victory. The endurance demands of Game 4's extra innings strained pitching arms on both sides, prompting bullpen-only strategies in subsequent games like the Dodgers' opener.

Notable events and decisions

Controversial plays

One of the most contentious moments of the 2018 National League Championship Series occurred in Game 4 on October 16, when shortstop clipped the leg of Milwaukee Brewers first baseman while running out a groundout in the 10th inning. The incident, which appeared intentional to many observers, led to a heated exchange between Machado and , prompting both benches and bullpens to clear, though no punches were thrown and no ejections resulted. Brewers outfielder later labeled Machado a "dirty player" in postgame comments, intensifying scrutiny over Machado's aggressive baserunning style. fined Machado $5,000 for the play but declined to suspend him, citing insufficient evidence of intent to injure. The controversy extended from a similar incident in Game 3 on , where violated MLB's —enacted in 2016 following Chase Utley's controversial slide—by extending his leg and arm into Brewers shortstop while sliding into second base on a grounder in the second inning. Replay review overturned an initial safe call, ruling out and resulting in a that ended the inning and preserved Milwaukee's lead. This play drew immediate criticism from analysts for endangering infielders, reigniting debates about the enforcement of slide rules in high-stakes games. Umpire decisions also sparked fan and analyst backlash, particularly in Game 7 on October 20, where the called by home plate Greg Gibson was perceived as inconsistent, contributing to Dodgers starter Zack Greinke's early exit after 4.1 despite allowing just one earned run. While official reviews rated Gibson's accuracy at 99.3%—among the highest of the postseason—critics argued that borderline calls favored the Dodgers, amplifying Milwaukee's frustration in their 5-1 loss. Additional tension arose from on-field execution involving relievers, such as the Dodgers' rally against reliever in the eighth inning of Game 2 on October 13, turning a 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 victory. Similarly, Josh Hader's heavy workload in of Game 4 showed visible signs of after pitching on three consecutive days, raising questions about pitcher endurance limits amid the series' grueling pace, even as he struck out the side in the 12th. These incidents collectively fueled broader narratives on and rule interpretation in , with Machado's actions dubbed "Slide Gate" by media outlets and prompting discussions on whether stricter penalties were needed for aggressive plays. However, no immediate rule changes emerged from the series, though the events highlighted ongoing tensions between hustle and safety in the sport.

Managerial strategies

Dave Roberts of the employed a flexible -centric approach throughout the series, particularly evident in Game 7 where he opted for a game by starting rookie instead of veteran to preserve the ace for potential relief duties. This decision allowed Buehler to deliver 4 2/3 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, setting up a relay of relievers: for the final out of the fifth, Kershaw for 1.2 innings in the sixth and seventh (his first postseason relief appearance since the ), Kenley Jansen for 1.1 innings in the seventh and eighth, and to close the ninth. Roberts effectively rested Jansen by limiting his usage in despite a late deficit, ensuring the closer was available for high-leverage situations in the decisive game, where Jansen struck out three of four batters faced in the seventh inning. In Game 4, Roberts demonstrated aggressive management in extras during the 13-inning marathon, deploying multiple relievers including Jansen for a save opportunity in the 12th while navigating a thin to secure a 2-1 walk-off victory on Cody Bellinger's single. of the Brewers leaned on innovative management, highlighted by the "opener" strategy in Game 5 where he listed as the starter but pulled him after facing just one batter to disrupt the Dodgers' matchups and preserve Miley for a full start in Game 6. This ploy allowed right-hander to follow as the bulk pitcher, successfully neutralizing left-handed threats early and contributing to a tactical edge, though the Brewers ultimately lost the game 5-2. also pushed reliever heavily in the series, including 23 pitches over 1 1/3 innings in Game 4's extras amid the grueling 13-inning affair, part of a broader pattern that saw Hader log multiple high-intensity outings despite fatigue risks. The pinch-hitting decision involving Woodruff earlier in the series exemplified Counsell's adaptability, as the right-hander's subsequent bulk relief roles proved effective in controlling games after openers. Both managers adapted to series dynamics with defensive and lineup tweaks; Counsell emphasized shift-heavy defense to counter the Dodgers' right-handed hitters, leveraging Milwaukee's analytical approach that ranked among the league's best in shifting opponents during the regular season. Roberts capitalized on advantages by frequently substituting left-handed bats against righty-heavy Brewers pitching, while implementing post-Game 4 fatigue management through selective rest for key arms like Jansen to counter the marathon's toll. Counsell's bullpen innovations, including openers and high-volume relief, earned praise for keeping the Brewers competitive and forcing a Game 7, but ultimately overtaxed the unit in later contests, contributing to their 4-3 series loss. In contrast, Roberts' strategic flexibility in pitching rotations and rest protocols proved decisive, clinching the pennant and advancing the Dodgers to the .

Aftermath and legacy

Progression to World Series

Following their 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the to face the champion Red Sox. The best-of-seven matchup began on October 23 at in , with the Red Sox prevailing 4-1 to claim the title. No significant injuries emerged from the NLCS for the Dodgers, preserving their roster depth as they prepared for the Fall Classic. Cody Bellinger was announced as the NLCS on October 20, 2018, immediately after Game 7, recognizing his .200 , one , and four RBIs that powered ' comeback. The Dodgers marked the achievement with a traditional locker room champagne celebration at Miller Park, setting their focus on the while city officials began preliminary discussions for potential victory parades should they win the championship. For the eliminated Brewers, who finished the postseason 7-4 overall after a 3-0 NLDS win over the Colorado Rockies, manager reflected on the bullpen's heavy usage and strategic decisions as key factors in the seven-game defeat. Fox's coverage of the NLCS, split between the parent network and FS1, averaged 2.98 in household ratings across the seven games, with the decisive Game 7 drawing a 4.9 rating and 7.34 million viewers.

Impact on franchises

The 2018 National League Championship Series marked the ' second consecutive pennant, their first back-to-back National League titles since 1977 and 1978. This achievement reinforced the franchise's status as a perennial contender in the postseason era, building on their appearance and setting the stage for sustained success, including subsequent victories in 2020 and 2024. Outfielder emerged as the series MVP, batting .200 with a and key hits, including a walk-off single in Game 4 and a go-ahead homer in Game 7, which solidified his transition from 2017 Rookie of the Year to established superstar. Ace pitcher contributed significantly by delivering seven strong innings in a Game 5 victory, allowing two runs (one earned), which helped bolster his legacy as a postseason performer despite the team's eventual defeat to the Boston Red Sox. For the Milwaukee Brewers, the series represented their first appearance since 2011, when they fell to the St. Louis Cardinals, and highlighted the franchise's resurgence as a competitive force in a challenging division. The deep playoff run, fueled by a surprise midseason trade acquisition, elevated Christian Yelich's profile; his performance in the series, including a solo in Game 7, complemented his regular-season dominance, leading to his near-unanimous National League MVP award later that November. This exposure underscored the viability of small-market teams like the Brewers in building contention through savvy trades and bullpen innovation, inspiring confidence in their long-term organizational strategy despite the seven-game loss. The series exemplified the rising "bullpen era" in playoff baseball, with the Brewers relying heavily on relievers for over 70% of their , a tactic that carried them through the regular season and Wild Card but ultimately fatigued in the later games. This approach, including experimental "opener" strategies, prompted broader analytical discussions on optimizing pitching staffs in high-stakes scenarios, influencing subsequent playoff across MLB. While no immediate blockbuster trades stemmed directly from the series, it prompted roster adjustments for the Dodgers, notably the departure of shortstop to free agency, where he signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with the San Diego Padres in 2019. The matchup's legacy endures through its seven-game length—the first NLCS to reach that since 2012—and total viewership of approximately 34.5 million across FS1 broadcasts, a roughly 10% increase from the 2017 NLCS total despite the longer format.

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  55. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2018/10/17/manny-machado-jesus-aguilar-exchange-words-incident-benches-clear-nlcs-game-4/1667750002/
  56. https://www.mlb.com/video/tempers-flare-in-los-angeles-c2516568783
  57. https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/10/17/manny-machado-los-angeles-dodgers-milwaukee-brewers-nlcs
  58. https://www.fox6now.com/sports/manny-machado-fined-by-mlb-for-kicking-jesus-aguilar-in-brewers-dodgers-game-4
  59. https://www.mlb.com/news/manny-machado-slide-rule-violation-brings-dp-c297884682
  60. https://sports.yahoo.com/manny-machado-slides-controversy-questionable-nlcs-game-3-baserunning-013904526.html
  61. https://www.truebluela.com/2018-nlcs-dodgers-vs-brewers/2018/10/17/17988610/dodgers-brewers-2018-nlcs-mlb-playoffs-manny-machado-dirty-play
  62. https://www.closecallsports.com/2018/10/discussion-of-2018-al-and-nl.html
  63. http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/zoneTrack.php?month=10&day=20&year=2018&game=gid_2018_10_20_lanmlb_milmlb_1/&prevDate=1020
  64. https://www.athleticsnation.com/2018/10/27/18017244/manny-machado-mlb-playoffs-2018-behavior-2014-oakland-as
  65. https://nypost.com/2018/10/17/manny-machado-decides-to-hustle-as-dodgers-win-in-13/
  66. https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-brewers-game-7-lineups-and-bullpens-c299357460
  67. https://www.mlb.com/news/wade-miley-will-start-game-6-after-short-start-c298060428
  68. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/25009842/milwaukee-brewers-pitcher-wade-miley-exits-just-one-batter-vs-los-angeles-dodgers
  69. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24970295/mlb-ups-downs-bullpenning-display-milwaukee-brewers-take-game-1
  70. https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/10/18/milwaukee-brewers-defense-nlcs
  71. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24975733/mlb-want-drama-nlcs-bringing-best-yet-come
  72. https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/10/20/nlcs-game-7-craig-counsell-dave-roberts-dodgers-brewers-bullpen
  73. https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/2018_WS.shtml
  74. https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/video/bellinger-wins-nlcs-mvp-c2517359083
  75. https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2018/10/18/notes-craig-counsell-still-making-no-apologies-pulling-wade-miley-after-one-batter/1675734002/
  76. https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/mlb-alcs-nlcs-ratings-history/
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