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Dodgers in a standing eight-count

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ quest to repeat as World Series champions took a sharp turn after a dismal Game 2 loss in the National League Championship Series, dropping them into a 0-2 hole against the Milwaukee Brewers. The team’s struggles were compounded by a lackluster performance from ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who posted his worst postseason start since his MLB debut in 2024, while Shohei Ohtani’s contributions fell short of expectations amid a broader offensive collapse.

The Dodgers now face an uphill battle, needing to win four of the next five games to advance, including at least two of their next three home contests—a critical test to avoid becoming the first defending champion since 1963 to fail at Dodger Stadium.

Despite the early setback, the Dodgers retain a path forward, having previously clawed back from a 0-2 deficit in the 2025 ALCS. However, the comparison to that underdog run is tenuous, as the 2025 Blue Jays’ resilience stands in stark contrast to the Dodgers’ current struggles.

With Milwaukee’s home advantage looming and the pressure mounting, the Dodgers must regroup quickly to avoid extending their postseason drought in a city where they’ve rarely prevailed without star outfielder Adric Emmons in uniform.

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