​The Los Angeles Dodgers ran over the Milwaukee Brewers in last year’s NLCS, during which the No. 1 seed played into the narrative that they were the underdogs.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Dodgers Nation (@dodgersnation)This year, the same assumptions of them being “David” to the Dodgers’ “Goliath” are floating around after their matchup revealed itself on Wednesday, but LA isn’t having any of it. Shortstop Mookie Betts wasted no time in denying that being the case.“If you watch the last series against the Padres, I think you see that it’s very inaccurate,” Betts said to the media, including Dodgers Nation, via zoom. “…You got to keep them completely separate… they have more experience. They’re just better.”The Brewers finished the 2026 regular season with a 103-59 record, the best in their franchise’s history, and just won a four-game series against the San Diego Padres, who were one of the best teams in baseball throughout the period following the All-Star break.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts held a similar sentiment to Betts.“Absolutely not,” he said. “They have the best record in baseball… they’re certainly not afraid of us, they’ve the guy who’s gonna which the Cy Young in the National League. So we’ve got our work cut out for us.”Oct 13, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) greets Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy (49) prior to game one of the NLCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn ImagesDo the Brewers Buy in to the Underdog Narrative?The Brewers, despite their belief in the notion that they weren’t as good as the Dodgers in last year’s NLCS, have stepped away from that train of thought this season. Before Game 1 of the NLCS, Brewers manager Pat Murphy made that clear.“We’re gonna be more ready than we were last time, I believe,” Murphy said. “That doesn’t guarantee anything but we got to be ready for what they say is the best team in baseball, but we think we are. We’re going to do our best to stay with them and beat them in 7 games.”They have reason not to fall for the narrative as well, especially following their historic season.Firstly, the Brewers have arguably the best pitcher in baseball within their ranks: Jasob Misiorowski. Misiorowski, the pitcher most likely to win the Cy Young in the National League, had an unbelievable season after bursting onto the scene in 2025. He threw 174.2 innings over the course of 30 starts, leading all of MLB with a 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts on the year. The right-hander made headlines all season with his fastball, which ranks in the 100th percentile of MLB with an average velocity of 100.6 mph.They have more talent outside of their pitching staff, though, as players like Wilson Contreras, Jake Bauers, Brice Turan and Jackson Chourio putting together fantastic seasons for the Brewers.With so much talent on their roster,