The Milwaukee Brewers are heading to the World Series for the first time in 44 years, and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pursuit of a third consecutive championship is officially over.
Milwaukee completed a four-game sweep of the defending champions Thursday night, rallying from a four-run deficit to defeat Los Angeles 6-4 at Dodger Stadium. The victory secured the Brewers’ first National League pennant and their first World Series appearance since 1982.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Guardians moved one step closer to joining Milwaukee in the Fall Classic, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. Cleveland now leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.
Thursday’s results guarantee that a new World Series champion will be crowned in 2026.
Brewers Overcome Four-Run Deficit to Clinch Pennant
For a brief moment Thursday night, the Dodgers appeared ready to extend their season.
Shohei Ohtani, restored to the leadoff spot after struggling throughout the series, delivered a three-run home run in the second inning against Milwaukee reliever Dustin May. The blast helped Los Angeles build a 4-0 lead and gave the home crowd reason to believe the defending champions might finally turn the series around.
But the Brewers had spent the entire postseason demonstrating an ability to recover from adversity, and Thursday was no exception.
William Contreras and Jake Bauers delivered consecutive doubles in the fourth inning, with Bauers driving home two runs to cut the deficit in half.
Milwaukee continued its comeback in the fifth. Sal Frelick walked, stole second, and scored on David Hamilton’s RBI single. Later in the inning, Bauers drew a bases-loaded walk to force home the tying run and erase Los Angeles’ early advantage.
Garrett Mitchell completed the comeback in the sixth, launching a solo home run off Tanner Scott to give Milwaukee its first lead of the night, 5-4.
The Dodgers continued threatening, but the Brewers’ bullpen refused to surrender the advantage.
Aaron Ashby recorded the final nine outs, escaping trouble in both the seventh and eighth innings before securing the pennant with a scoreless ninth. David Hamilton provided insurance with a solo home run off Edwin Díaz in the top of the ninth.
When Kiké Hernández lined out to Jackson Chourio in left field for the final out, Milwaukee’s players poured onto the field to celebrate a championship 44 years in the making.
Bauers Named NLCS MVP
Bauers was named the National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player after driving in six runs across the four-game sweep.
His contributions included the decisive two-run home run in Wednesday’s Game 3 victory and two critical plate appearances Thursday that helped Milwaukee erase its four-run deficit.
The six RBIs tied a Brewers franchise record for a single postseason series, putting Bauers alongside players including Robin Yount, Cecil Cooper, Ryan Braun, and Jackson Chourio.
The award was particularly significant because Milwaukee had never previously produced an LCS MVP. When the Brewers won the American League pennant in 1982, the award went to Fred Lynn of the losing California Angels.
Milwaukee finished the 2026 regular season with a franchise-record 103 victories, then eliminated the San Diego Padres in the Division Series before sweeping Los Angeles.
For the Dodgers, the loss ended hopes of becoming the first team since the 1998–2000 New York Yankees to win three consecutive World Series championships.
The outcome also reversed last year’s NLCS, when Los Angeles swept Milwaukee in four games. This time, the Brewers celebrated on the same field where their previous season ended.
Halpin’s Home Run Gives Guardians ALCS Advantage
Earlier Thursday, the Guardians regained control of the American League Championship Series with a 3-2 victory over Tampa Bay at Progressive Field.
Cleveland trailed 2-1 entering the bottom of the fifth inning before Petey Halpin delivered the decisive blow.
After Patrick Bailey opened the inning with an infield single, Halpin drove a 95.9-mph sinker from Rays starter Griffin Jax into the right-field seats for a two-run homer, giving the Guardians a 3-2 lead.
The 385-foot home run brought the crowd to its feet and produced one of the postseason’s more memorable celebrations, with Halpin flipping his bat as he watched the ball leave the park.
Gavin Williams provided another outstanding postseason performance for Cleveland, striking out nine over five innings. Williams has become one of the Guardians’ most important pitchers during their October run, helping Cleveland advance through the Division Series and regain the advantage against Tampa Bay.
The Guardians’ bullpen protected the narrow lead, with Cade Smith recording a four-out save to finish the game.
Tampa Bay managed just three hits and struck out 13 times. Junior Caminero struck out in all four of his plate appearances as the Rays struggled to generate consistent offense against Cleveland’s pitching staff.
The victory moved the Guardians within two wins of their first World Series appearance since 2016. Cleveland has not won a championship since 1948, the longest active drought in Major League Baseball.
What’s Next?
With the National League Championship Series complete, the Brewers will have a full week to prepare for the World Series.
Game 1 is scheduled for Friday, October 23, at American Family Field in Milwaukee, with television coverage on FOX. The Brewers will face either Cleveland or Tampa Bay.
The American League Championship Series continues Friday, October 16, with Game 4 at Progressive Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, with coverage on TBS, truTV, and HBO Max.
Game 5 is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, also at 7 p.m. CT in Cleveland.
The Guardians hold a 2-1 advantage and have an opportunity to move within one victory of the pennant. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, needs a win Friday to even the series and prevent Cleveland from taking a commanding lead.
For Milwaukee, the wait is finally over. After 44 years without a World Series appearance, the Brewers will have an opportunity to win the first championship in franchise history.
