What happened: Jacob Misiorowski started the NLCS opener, touching 102 mph early while working out of a first-inning jam. He struck out Shohei Ohtani twice, including a five-pitch sequence after a four-pitch walk and another punchout to end the third.

Why it matters: The opener sets the tone for Milwaukee's rotation usage against a Dodgers lineup that scored first in Game 1. Misiorowski entered facing Tarik Skubal in the opener as MLB's 2026 leader in ERA, strikeouts and WHIP, raising the stakes on every swing-and-miss. His ability to miss bats without consistent command shapes bullpen length for the rest of the series.

What to watch: Watch how Milwaukee manages his workload if the series runs long and whether the Dodgers adjust to the fastball-slider mix in a rematch.