Wed Oct 15 01:20:00 UTC 2025: **Brewers Tweak Lineup, Tap Bauers’ Hot Bat in NLCS Game 2 Against Dodgers**
MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Brewers are looking to even the National League Championship Series tonight against the Los Angeles Dodgers at American Family Field, banking on a lineup adjustment to spark their offense. Jake Bauers, currently swinging a hot bat, will get the start in left field and bat eighth, a strategic move by manager Pat Murphy to load the lineup with left-handed hitters against Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
“He’s been as good as anybody swinging the bat in September,” Murphy said, acknowledging a slight defensive sacrifice for Bauers’ offensive potential. “We’re going to sacrifice a little bit (defensively) and put him in the outfield…because he’s swinging it so good.”
Bauers has delivered clutch hits in recent games, including a home run in the NLDS against the Cubs and a double in Game 1 of the NLCS. He’ll be joined by fellow lefties Brice Turang, Christian Yelich, and Sal Frelick higher in the batting order.
The Brewers are hoping to capitalize on Yamamoto, whom they roughed up earlier this season on July 7 in Milwaukee, chasing him after just ⅔ of an inning. However, Murphy cautioned against taking that performance for granted.
“He was getting his feet wet,” Murphy said. “He’s going to make the adjustment. He’s been really, really good. He’s been one of the best five pitchers in baseball.” He added that the Brewers have a strategy in place to disrupt Yamamoto, even if he’s at his best. Yamamoto has shown vulnerability in two postseason starts this year, with a 2.53 ERA and allowing one home run.
Milwaukee will counter with right-hander Freddy Peralta, aiming for a strong performance at home where he has dominated this season. Peralta is coming off a less-than-stellar outing in Chicago but boasts a stellar 10-1 record with a 1.85 ERA at American Family Field. He also holds a 2-0 record against the dodgers this season.
“Ahead in the count, attacking, his top three pitches are clicking…” Murphy said, emphasizing the importance of Peralta dictating the pace from the first pitch.
The Brewers look to capitalize on the combination of a revamped lineup and a strong home start from Peralta to even the series before it heads back to Los Angeles.
First Piper 