The Los Angeles Dodgers have locked in their starting pitchers for the National League Championship Series. Tarik Skubal will take the mound for Game 1 on Sunday, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto set to pitch Game 2. Milwaukee is expected to counter with Jacob Misiorowski in the opener and Logan Henderson for the second contest. This matchup pits two elite rotations against each other in a fight for a World Series spot.
Manager Dave Roberts made the announcement on Friday before the team traveled to Milwaukee for Saturday’s workout. The schedule is tight, with Game 1 set for 8 p.m. ET on Sunday at American Family Field. Game 2 follows on Monday at 5 p.m. ET. Roberts did not name the starters beyond the first two games, but the pattern suggests a deep bench of talent is ready to step up if the series extends.
Aces Ready for High Stakes
The Dodgers have built their strategy around their top two arms. Skubal, who arrived from the Detroit Tigers in a major trade on August 2, has shown he can handle big pressure. In Game 1 of the NLDS, he threw six innings while giving up just one run to the Atlanta Braves. Yamamoto followed that performance with seven innings and one run allowed in Game 3 to beat Braves ace Chris Sale.
The numbers back up the choice to start them. Skubal has a 1.97 ERA over 45 and 2/3 career playoff innings. Yamamoto holds a 2.14 ERA across 63 career playoff frames and won the 2025 World Series MVP trophy. The Brewers know the danger these pitchers pose.
According to ESPN, Skubal has given up six runs, five of which were earned, across 12 innings versus the Brewers this season. Yamamoto has been even sharper, giving up two runs in 13 innings against Milwaukee during the regular season. Last year’s NLCS sweep also saw him pitch a complete game against them in Game 2, during which he surrendered only one run. That history gives the Dodgers a clear edge in the first two games.
Milwaukee Counters with Home Field
The Brewers are not without their own stars. For Game 1, the team is projected to begin with Jacob Misiorowski, a probable NL Cy Young Award winner. He will face Skubal in a duel that could define the series early. For Game 2, Logan Henderson is the likely choice to take the hill. Milwaukee has the advantage of playing at American Family Field, where the crowd noise can disrupt a visiting pitcher’s rhythm.
While the Dodgers have the higher profile names, the Brewers have the home field and a pitcher who has dominated the league this year. Misiorowski’s performance in the regular season earned him the Cy Young talk. The Brewers will need him to be at his best to stop the Dodgers’ offense. The team has been waiting for this moment, and the pressure is on to prove they belong in the final round.
Roberts mentioned that Blake Snell, who got only 11 outs in the Dodgers’ single NLDS defeat in Game 2, is expected to pitch next in Game 3. The depth of the pitching staff gives the Dodgers flexibility that Milwaukee may lack.
What the Rotation Means for the Series
The decision to start Skubal and Yamamoto first shows confidence in their ability to win games. If they can each pitch deep into the game, the Brewers’ offense will struggle to score. A low-scoring affair favors the team with the better bullpen and defense. The Dodgers have both, but the starting pitching is the key to controlling the pace.
The Brewers will need to hit early. If they fall behind in the first two games, the series shifts to Los Angeles, where the Dodgers’ home crowd and familiar stadium could make a comeback harder. The schedule allows for a day of rest between games, which helps the pitchers recover.
History shows that the team with the better starting rotation often wins these series. The Dodgers have two pitchers with proven playoff success. In their latest outings versus the Braves, Skubal and Yamamoto have surrendered a total of two earned runs across 13 innings. That level of dominance is rare in the postseason. If they can repeat it against Milwaukee, the path to the World Series becomes much clearer.