LA Dodgers Game 4 Preview: Can They Complete NLCS Sweep Against Brewers?

The Los Angeles Dodgers are one win away from their second consecutive World Series appearance after a dominant 3-1 victory in Game 3 of the NLCS. Their starting pitchers have been nearly unhittable, posting a 1.15 ERA through three games against the Brewers.

With Game 4 looming, the question isn’t just about advancing—it’s whether the Dodgers can complete the sweep. Milwaukee, the NL’s top regular-season team, now faces a near-impossible task to rally against baseball’s hottest team. History is on Los Angeles’ side, as no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series.

LA Dodgers Game 4 Preview: Can They Complete NLCS Sweep Against Brewers?

The Los Angeles Dodgers stand on the precipice of history as they prepare for Game 4 of the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers. Their dominant 3-0 series lead has been built on the foundation of historically great pitching performances. With Tyler Glasnow’s Game 3 masterpiece fresh in everyone’s minds, the Dodgers now have the opportunity to complete the sweep and secure their second consecutive World Series appearance.

Game 4 presents a fascinating matchup with Bobby Miller taking the mound for Los Angeles against Milwaukee’s Freddy Peralta. The Brewers, who boasted the NL’s best regular-season record, now face elimination in what has become a shockingly one-sided series. Historical data shows that teams leading 3-0 in best-of-seven series have gone on to win 97% of the time, making the Dodgers’ position enviable.

The numbers don’t lie – this Dodgers rotation is performing at a level we haven’t seen since the 2016 Cubs. Their starters’ 1.15 ERA through three NLCS games is simply absurd.

The Pitching Dominance Behind LA’s Success

Breaking down the Dodgers’ pitching advantage:

This remarkable consistency from the rotation has completely neutralized Milwaukee’s potent offense, which ranked among the league’s best during the regular season. The Brewers have managed just a .167 batting average through three games, with only one home run to show for their efforts.

Brewers’ Last Stand: Can Milwaukee Avoid Elimination?

The Milwaukee Brewers face their greatest challenge of the season as they attempt to stave off elimination in Game 4. Manager Pat Murphy must find answers for an offense that has been completely stifled by Dodgers pitching. Freddy Peralta takes the mound with the weight of Milwaukee’s season on his shoulders, needing to outpitch rookie sensation Bobby Miller.

Key factors working against the Brewers:

• Historical 3-0 series deficit (no team has ever come back in NLCS)
• Dodgers’ bullpen well-rested after strong starting performances
• Mental hurdle of facing elimination at hostile Dodger Stadium

While history says it’s nearly impossible, remember the 2004 Red Sox proved miracles can happen. The Brewers need Peralta to channel his inner Curt Schilling tonight.

Milwaukee’s Path to Extending the Series

For the Brewers to force a Game 5, several things must happen:

1. Early runs against Bobby Miller to quiet the Dodger Stadium crowd
2. Freddy Peralta delivering at least 6 quality innings
3. Breaking through against the Dodgers’ bullpen, their relative weakness
4. Capitalizing on any defensive miscues by Los Angeles

NLCS MVP Race: Who Leads If Dodgers Sweep?

With the potential for a series-ending Game 4 victory, the NLCS MVP discussion has intensified. Several Dodgers players have made compelling cases:

• Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Complete game victory with 11 strikeouts in Game 2
• Blake Snell: 8 scoreless innings in Game 1, setting dominant tone
• Tyler Glasnow: Game 3 win with 6 shutout frames
• Freddie Freeman: .412 average with 2 crucial home runs

I’d give the edge to Yamamoto – that complete game was the signature moment of the series and showed why the Dodgers invested so heavily in him.

Statistical Comparison of Top Candidates

World Series Implications: Dodgers’ Potential Advantages

A Game 4 victory would give the Dodgers significant advantages heading into the World Series:

• Extended rest: 4 days off to set rotation and heal minor injuries
• Pitching setup: Ability to start Snell and Yamamoto in Games 1 and 2
• Psychological edge: Momentum from dominant NLCS performance

The extra days could prove particularly valuable given the Dodgers’ bullpen concerns. While their starters have been phenomenal, relievers have posted a 4.76 ERA this postseason, creating potential vulnerabilities against powerful American League lineups.

That rest period is golden for Dave Roberts. He can realign his rotation perfectly while giving Evan Phillips and the bullpen time to reset mentally.

Potential World Series Rotation Setup

With extra rest, the Dodgers could structure their World Series rotation as:

1. Game 1: Blake Snell (on extended rest)
2. Game 2: Yoshinobu Yamamoto
3. Game 3: Tyler Glasnow
4. Game 4: Bobby Miller

Dodgers’ Bullpen: The One Area of Concern

While the starting rotation has been historically good, the Dodgers bullpen has shown some concerning cracks that could prove problematic in the World Series. Key issues include:

• Closer Evan Phillips allowing runs in 3 of 5 postseason appearances
• Middle relievers struggling with command (12 walks in 15 innings)
• Over-reliance on Brusdar Graterol in high-leverage situations

This stands in stark contrast to last year’s championship bullpen that posted a 2.89 postseason ERA. The current group’s inconsistency could become magnified against tougher American League competition.

The bullpen is the only thing keeping this Dodgers team from being truly invincible. If they can’t clean up those walks, it might cost them against Houston or Baltimore’s patient lineups.

Bullpen Performance Comparison: 2024 vs 2025 Postseason

Game 4 Prediction: Will the Dodgers Complete the Sweep?

All signs point toward the Dodgers finishing the series tonight:

• Historical trends favor teams up 3-0
• Brewers’ offense has shown no answers for Dodgers pitching
• Bobby Miller has been excellent at home this season
• Dodgers’ lineup has consistently produced against Freddy Peralta

The likely scenario sees Los Angeles jumping on Peralta early, with Miller delivering another quality start. While Milwaukee will fight valiantly to extend their season, the Dodgers’ combination of dominant starting pitching and timely hitting should prove too much to overcome.

I’m predicting a 5-2 Dodgers victory with Freeman hitting another homer. This team is simply operating at a different level right now, and history will be made tonight at Chavez Ravine.

Key Factors That Could Swing Game 4

1. First inning performance from Bobby Miller
2. Freddie Freeman’s at-bats against Freddy Peralta
3. Milwaukee’s ability to manufacture runs without power
4. Dave Roberts’ bullpen management in late innings