This matchup turns on how long the starters can keep traffic away from the middle relievers. Milwaukee has been extending at-bats and putting runners on, while Los Angeles still has enough power to turn a short pitching stint into a big inning. The first handoff on each side should shape the rest of the game.
Milwaukee has combined contact and walks with timely extra-base hits. Hamilton's running helped in Game 2, and Bauers followed a long at-bat with a two-run homer in Game 3. Los Angeles has hit home runs too, but its lineup has struggled to bring runners home in this series.
Chourio, Turang, Contreras and Bauers will try to make Glasnow work. He walked five in his last start, which gives that group a way to reach the Dodgers' middle relief with men aboard. Milwaukee will start Drohan, with May expected to follow; Ashby and other available arms give the Brewers further innings to cover. Betts, Tucker, Smith and Ohtani remain a serious test for them.
Ohtani and Freeman are managing injuries, but both played in Game 3, and Ohtani and Smith helped produce the Dodgers' scoring rally. Milwaukee's current preview lists no injury. Hall stopped that rally, while Ashby has already supplied useful relief innings in this series.
I expect Milwaukee's long at-bats to press Glasnow early and bring its central hitters back up against the first Dodgers reliever. Drohan and the following arms can then carry that advantage into the later innings. That's why I'm siding with Milwaukee to win this match.
