The Milwaukee Brewers made a significant lineup change for Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday, October 11, leaving veteran Christian Yelich out of the starting lineup. Manager Pat Murphy selected Andrew Vaughn as the designated hitter in an effort to counter Dodgers left-handed ace Tarik Skubal at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
The decision places one of Milwaukee's most recognizable players on the bench to begin a crucial postseason matchup. It also reflects Murphy's willingness to adjust his lineup based on individual matchups rather than relying entirely on regular starters.
The Brewers entered the best-of-seven series with a major challenge ahead. Los Angeles swept Milwaukee in four games during the 2025 NLCS and is seeking a third consecutive World Series championship.
Why Christian Yelich Is Not Starting
Yelich, the 2018 National League Most Valuable Player, was one of Milwaukee's most productive hitters during the National League Division Series against San Diego. He batted .357 with five hits in 14 at-bats, one run batted in and two stolen bases.
His performance helped the Brewers eliminate the Padres in four games and advance to another meeting with Los Angeles.
However, Yelich struggled against left-handed pitching throughout the 2026 regular season. He hit just .212 against left-handers, with two home runs in 118 at-bats.
The numbers were important because Skubal, a two-time American League Cy Young Award winner, throws left-handed. Yelich also entered Game 1 without a hit in two career at-bats against him.
Murphy explained that his decision was based on what would give Milwaukee the strongest opportunity against the opposing starter.
"It's about our team and what's best for our team today," Murphy said during his pregame news conference.
He also indicated that the decision might apply only to the opening portion of the game. That leaves the possibility that Yelich could enter later as a pinch hitter if the Dodgers turn to a right-handed reliever.
Murphy has used similar strategies throughout the season, selecting hitters based on opposing pitchers and making substitutions when matchups become more favorable.
The decision was not necessarily a reflection of Yelich's overall value. Instead, Milwaukee chose a different offensive combination for a particularly difficult left-handed opponent.
Andrew Vaughn Gets Important Opportunity
Vaughn earned the designated hitter assignment because of his success against left-handed pitching during the regular season.
The 28-year-old hit .336 against left-handers in 2026, with a .421 on-base percentage and .517 slugging percentage. Those numbers made him an attractive option against Skubal despite limited production in the previous playoff round.
Vaughn finished the regular season batting .306 with six home runs and 43 RBIs in 104 games. He recorded one hit in two at-bats during the Division Series against San Diego.
His previous encounters with Skubal also factored into Milwaukee's decision. Vaughn entered the matchup with five hits in 22 career at-bats against the Dodgers pitcher, including one RBI.
Although those numbers do not guarantee success, Murphy considered Vaughn's experience and offensive profile useful for the opening game.
The decision also involved Jake Bauers, Milwaukee's left-handed first baseman. Bauers has been playing with a fractured right toe and shin splints, restricting his ability to handle outfield responsibilities.
Without those physical limitations, Murphy could have considered starting Vaughn at first base and moving Bauers into the outfield while keeping Yelich at designated hitter.
Instead, Bauers remained at first base and Vaughn took the designated hitter role, leaving Yelich available for a possible appearance later.
Brewers Set Their Game 1 Batting Order
Milwaukee retained its National League Division Series roster but made adjustments to the starting lineup.
Jackson Chourio was selected to lead off and play left field. Brice Turang followed at second base, with catcher William Contreras batting third.
Bauers occupied the cleanup position, followed by Vaughn in fifth. Garrett Mitchell started in center field and batted sixth.
Cooper Pratt was assigned shortstop and the seventh spot, with Luis Lara playing right field and batting eighth. Joey Ortiz completed the lineup at third base.
Despite facing Skubal, Milwaukee retained three left-handed hitters in Turang, Bauers and Mitchell. Their presence shows that Murphy was not attempting to avoid every left-handed matchup.
The Brewers built their offense around reaching base, putting pressure on opposing defenses and creating scoring opportunities throughout the regular season.
Milwaukee led Major League Baseball with a .258 team batting average and .341 on-base percentage. The Brewers also stole 152 bases, giving them another way to generate offense against difficult pitching.
Those abilities could become especially important against Skubal, who has consistently limited opponents' scoring opportunities.
Skubal and Misiorowski Lead Pitching Matchup
The opening game features two of baseball's most accomplished starting pitchers from the 2026 regular season.
Skubal joined the Dodgers in an August trade with the Detroit Tigers. Los Angeles acquired the two-time Cy Young winner in exchange for outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handed pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith.
The trade strengthened an already formidable rotation and gave the Dodgers another experienced starter for October.
Skubal helped Los Angeles defeat Atlanta in the Division Series. He pitched six innings and allowed one run while striking out seven batters in the opener against the Braves.
Milwaukee counters with right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, whose dominant 2026 season established him among the National League's leading pitchers.
Misiorowski led the majors with a 1.80 earned run average, 252 strikeouts and a 0.80 WHIP during the regular season. His opponents managed just a .157 batting average.
His remarkable fastball also attracted attention during the Division Series against San Diego. Misiorowski threw a pitch measured at 104.8 mph, the fastest recorded postseason pitch of the pitch-tracking era that began in 2008.
The Padres nevertheless forced him to throw 88 pitches in four innings during that appearance, limiting how long he could remain in the game.
Misiorowski has previously performed well against Los Angeles. In three appearances against the Dodgers, including a relief outing during the 2025 NLCS, he compiled a 1.59 ERA with 27 strikeouts and only three walks in 17 innings.
Dodgers Adjust Their Lineup Around Ohtani
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts also changed his batting order for the opening game.
Mookie Betts led off at shortstop, followed by Freddie Freeman at first base and Will Smith at catcher.
Shohei Ohtani was placed fourth as the designated hitter rather than occupying his more familiar leadoff position. Teoscar Hernández followed in left field, with Max Muncy batting sixth at third base.
Andy Pages started in center field and batted seventh. Kyle Tucker played right field and hit eighth, while Kiké Hernández rounded out the order at second base.
Ohtani's placement was among the more notable adjustments. The Dodgers star entered the series after struggling offensively late in the regular season and during the Division Series.
He had not hit a home run since August 18 and recorded only two singles during the four-game series against Atlanta.
Roberts continued to emphasize the importance of productive plate appearances rather than measuring Ohtani's contributions solely by home runs.
Ohtani also has experience facing Misiorowski. He is the only current Dodgers player to have homered against the Milwaukee starter, doing so during a regular-season matchup in July 2025.
The Dodgers will need contributions throughout their lineup against a pitcher who has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to overpower hitters.
Brewers Seek Different Result From Previous NLCS Meetings
The 2026 series marks the third National League Championship Series matchup between Milwaukee and Los Angeles since 2018.
The Dodgers won their 2018 meeting in seven games and swept Milwaukee in four games last October. Los Angeles also defeated the Brewers in the 2020 Wild Card Series.
Milwaukee entered this year's matchup with baseball's best regular-season record at 103-59. Los Angeles finished 100-62, giving the Brewers home-field advantage in the championship series.
The Brewers also won four of their seven regular-season meetings with the Dodgers this year, suggesting they can compete against the defending champions.
Both clubs advanced through the Division Series in four games. Milwaukee eliminated San Diego, while Los Angeles defeated Atlanta.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday, October 12, at American Family Field before the series moves to Dodger Stadium for Games 3 and 4.
For Milwaukee, the opening matchup will test whether Murphy's lineup adjustments can produce enough offense against Skubal. Yelich's availability off the bench gives the Brewers another option if the pitching matchup changes as the game progresses.