Brewers Clinch NLDS 3-1 Over Padres, Advance to Face Dodgers in NLCS

Key points

• Milwaukee won Game 4 3-1 to take the series 3-1, with scores of 3-2, 4-3, 4-3 (Padres), and 3-1 across the four games.
• Aaron Ashby pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings for the Brewers, allowing only two hits and striking out five, despite a poor prior postseason track record.
• Garrett Mitchell made a critical defensive catch in the eighth inning, preventing a potential two-run home run by Manny Machado that would have tied the game.
• Trevor Megill recorded the final save, working a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out the series for Milwaukee.
• The Brewers will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, seeking to avenge their 4-0 sweep in the 2025 NLCS and potentially return to the World Series for the first time since 1982.

Background

The series began with the Brewers winning the first two games at home, but the Padres won Game 3 at Petco Park to force a decisive Game 4. The Brewers had previously won four of seven regular-season matchups against the Dodgers, their upcoming opponent. The Padres held a 99-93 edge in the all-time series against Milwaukee but lost their first postseason meeting with the Brewers.

How outlets are covering it

FOX One focused on the logistical details of watching the game and the final series outcome, emphasizing the Brewers' advance to the NLCS. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel provided a detailed play-by-play, highlighting Aaron Ashby's crucial pitching performance, Garrett Mitchell's defensive save, and the broader narrative of the Brewers facing the 'Death Star' Dodgers, including the impact of a looming work stoppage and salary cap debates. OregonLive.com, while covering the game, primarily focused on prediction market odds and promotional codes, noting that pre-game odds were nearly even, though it did not provide detailed game analysis. The Journal Sentinel emphasized the emotional intensity and defensive resilience, while FOX One maintained a neutral, informational tone.

Why it matters

The Brewers' victory eliminates the Padres and sets up a high-stakes NLCS against the Dodgers, a team that swept Milwaukee in the previous year's championship series. A win in the NLCS would return the Brewers to the World Series for the first time since 1982. The series also highlighted the Brewers' ability to overcome a strong regular-season opponent and navigate a tense, low-scoring postseason environment, with the broader context of potential labor disputes in MLB adding urgency to the championship race.

What to watch

The Brewers will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, starting with Game 1 on Sunday, October 12, 2026. The series is expected to be highly competitive, with the Dodgers featuring Shohei Ohtani and a strengthened pitching staff including Tarik Skubal. The outcome will determine which team advances to the World Series, with the Brewers aiming to avenge their 2025 loss and reach the championship for the first time in over four decades.