A sneak preview of the 2026 National League Championship Series might be set to unfold at Dodger Stadium starting Thursday night, Aug. 13.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers, both still vying for the best record in baseball, will begin a four-game series. It will feature Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani at the plate, Brewers phenom Jacob Misiorowski on the mound, and the requisite turnout of LA celebrities.
Last year, the Dodgers swept the Brewers in the NLCS on the way to their second straight World Series title. The Brewers are among the biggest obstacles preventing the Dodgers from a three-peat.
To assess who’s got the better team – at least before they play – it’s best to determine who has the edge at each position.
Dodgers vs. Brewers: Who has the edge?
Stats entering Wednesday's games.
First base (edge, Dodgers)
Jake Bauers, the Brewers’ primary first baseman, is having a career year with a team-high 21 homers and a team-best slugging percentage of .499. Dodgers stalwart Freddie Freeman has suffered a slight dip in HRs − and had a big scare Wednesday night − but leads the team with 135 hits and a batting average of .305 while remaining an asset on defense.
Second base (edge, Brewers)
Tommy Edman has been productive for the Dodgers since returning from a right ankle injury in mid-June. But Milwaukee’s Brice Turang has been instrumental for the Brewers, leading the team with 121 hits, including 16 home runs and 28 doubles, and a team-best 76 RBIs.
Shortstop (edge, Dodgers)
As bad as things have gone for Mookie Betts, he’s still slugged 14 homers and provides power the Brewers lack at this position. Cooper Pratt, a promising, 21-year-rookie for the Brewers, is out with a hamstring injury, forcing Milwaukee to plug in third baseman David Hamilton.
Third base (edge, Dodgers)
Max Muncy remains a power threat for the Dodgers. His 22 home runs this season are second best on the team, behind only Shohei Ohtani’s 26. Meanwhile, the Brewers’ lack of power at this position is almost as notable as what Muncy supplies.
Catcher (edge, Brewers)
Will Smith appears to be on his way back for the Dodgers from a neck injury. But until then, it’s duct tape, glue and staples holding together this position. The Brewers’ William Contreras is having a subpar year at the plate, but this season he still made the All-Star Game for the third time in five years.
Left field (edge, Brewers)
For the Dodgers, it’s become left field by committee because no one’s good enough to win the job. By contrast, Jackson Chourio, a rising star for the Brewers, is batting .275 with 17 homers and slugging at a .480 clip.
Center field (edge, Dodgers)
For the Dodgers, Andy Pages is batting .270 with 19 home runs and his WAR is a team-best 5.2. The Brewers have yet to find a player who merits the full-time job.
Right field (edge, Dodgers)
The Dodgers signed Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240 million deal and still are waiting for the payoff. But Brewers’ speedster Garrett Mitchell is more underwhelming at the plate than Tucker and his potential upside.
Designated hitter (edge, Dodgers)
Shohei Ohtani is batting .290 with a team-best 26 home runs, .392 OBP and .929 OPS. Christian Yelich, a three-time All-Star, has struggled so much this year that he slipped in the batting order as low as No. 7.
Starting rotation (edge, Brewers)
The Brewers have the best pitcher in baseball in Jacob Misiorowski − his fastballs have been clocked as high as 105.5 mph − and ample talent around him. The Dodgers’ rotation should be world-class with the addition of Tarik Skubal, but it remains a work in progress.
Bullpen (edge, Brewers)
The trumpets are blaring again for Edwin Diaz, but elbow surgery did not solve his early-season struggles. Trevor Megill is an elite closer for the Brewers.
Manager (pick 'em)
The Brewers’ Pat Murphy is the back-to-back National League Manager of the Year. Dave Roberts has guided the Dodgers to back-to-back World Series titles.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers vs. Brewers: Who has the edge? Position-by-position breakdown