The Los Angeles Dodgers come into Sunday’s series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers seeking to avoid a home series loss and reestablish control as they chase the National League West crown with a 57–43 record. Despite entering the series as heavy favorites, the Dodgers have dropped two of the first three games at home, exposing vulnerabilities that have begun to surface more frequently in recent weeks, particularly in their bullpen and middle-inning offense. Expected starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been a stabilizing force in the rotation, boasting a 10–3 record with a 2.59 ERA and delivering consistent performances that have often prevented longer losing streaks. Yamamoto’s pinpoint command and deceptive sequencing have made him especially dangerous at home, and the Dodgers will lean heavily on him to deliver six to seven innings of strong work to avoid turning the game over too early to a bullpen that has been inconsistent. The offense remains one of the most feared in the league, with Shohei Ohtani leading the charge with 32 home runs and an OPS near 1.000, while Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman provide constant threats at the top and middle of the lineup. Even in games where the team has fallen behind, the Dodgers have shown the ability to erase deficits quickly with one big inning, especially when the bottom of the order can set the table for their stars. However, a troubling trend has emerged with missed opportunities—timely hitting has not always come through, and stranded runners have cost them in several tight games.

The bullpen, once a strength, has shown cracks recently, with late-inning walks and poorly located fastballs contributing to losses, including in this current series against the Brewers. Manager Dave Roberts has rotated roles among relievers like Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips, trying to find a reliable formula, but the inconsistency has been difficult to overcome when games stay close into the seventh or eighth innings. Defensively, the Dodgers remain solid, though occasional lapses have surfaced in recent losses, adding to the pressure on pitchers to be perfect. Sunday’s game represents more than just another regular season contest—it’s an opportunity for the Dodgers to respond to adversity and assert themselves against a potential playoff opponent. Yamamoto’s ability to dominate Milwaukee’s patient and aggressive lineup will be key, but equally important will be whether the offense can break through against Freddy Peralta early and force the Brewers to use their bullpen sooner than planned. If the Dodgers can jump ahead early and avoid the need for high-leverage bullpen innings, they are still the superior team on paper and at home. However, anything short of clean execution and timely run production could put them at risk of dropping three of four games in their own ballpark—something almost unthinkable just a month ago. The Dodgers must play with urgency, tighten their bullpen strategy, and reestablish the offensive rhythm that made them so dangerous throughout the first half of the season if they hope to finish the weekend on a high note.