The Milwaukee Brewers are headed to the World Series for the first time in 44 years after rallying from four runs down to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-4 on Thursday night and complete a four-game sweep of the National League Championship Series.
Los Angeles built a 4-0 lead, highlighted by Shohei Ohtani’s three-run home run in the second inning. Milwaukee then scored six unanswered runs, turning Game 4 into the defining comeback of a series in which the Brewers repeatedly recovered from deficits.
How Milwaukee completed the comeback
Jake Bauers delivered a two-run ground-rule double as Milwaukee worked back into the game, and Garrett Mitchell hit the go-ahead home run. The bullpen carried the lead home: three Brewers relievers combined for seven scoreless innings, with Aaron Ashby recording the final nine outs.
That pitching finish mattered most in the seventh inning. Los Angeles put the tying run at third with one out, but Ashby struck out Ohtani and retired Mookie Betts to end the threat.
A 44-year wait ends
Milwaukee had not reached the World Series since 1982, the franchise’s only previous appearance. The Brewers also became the first team in Major League Baseball history to be swept by an opponent in one postseason and return the next year to sweep that same club.
The result ended the Dodgers’ attempt to win a third consecutive championship. It also transformed the series from the tight 2-1 Milwaukee win in Game 1 into a complete four-game statement by the National League’s pennant winner.
What comes next
Game 1 of the World Series is scheduled for Friday, October 23, in Milwaukee. The Brewers will face the American League champion, which had not yet been decided Friday morning.
The sweep gives Milwaukee additional rest before the Fall Classic, including time for ace Jacob Misiorowski and the heavily used bullpen. It also guarantees the city at least one World Series home game for the first time since 1982.
Sources
- MLB: Brewers win the 2026 NLCS — October 16, 2026
- MLB: Milwaukee reaches the World Series — October 16, 2026
- FOX Sports: NLCS Game 4 live recap — updated October 15, 2026
Featured image: baseball stadium at night, photographed by Tim Gouw on Unsplash. The photo is illustrative.