The NL Central champion Brewers – who have not reached the Fall Classic since 1982 – had MLB's best record in the regular season but are facing another disappointing playoff exit. The Dodgers are seeking their fifth NL title in nine years and hope to become the first team in a quarter-century to repeat as World Series champions.

Milwaukee has lost the first three games of the NLCS to the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the latest a 3-1 Game 3 clunker at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 16.

Ohtani paces the Dodgers with 55 home runs and 102 runs batted in.