Dodgers v Brewers

[dlk9s]

I sort of can't believe we're in the NLCS. It's so cool to see our logo as one of the final four, so cool to read that yeah, it looks like the two best teams are battling for the pennant.

 

It's also cool to see the Brewers referred to as "The Crew" in the national media. There are tons of fans who have no idea where that nickname comes from, but it's just accepted as a nickname.

[KeithStone53151]

I sort of can't believe we're in the NLCS. It's so cool to see our logo as one of the final four, so cool to read that yeah, it looks like the two best teams are battling for the pennant.

 

It's also cool to see the Brewers referred to as "The Crew" in the national media. There are tons of fans who have no idea where that nickname comes from, but it's just accepted as a nickname.

 

How crazy that the best 4 teams advanced to the CS? I mean that non-sarcastically. It seems like generally a team that doesn't deserve it sneaks by in the DS. I would say the Yankees aren't as good as the Red Sox or Astros, so if the Red Sox win(which I expect) then the best 4 will have advanced. Hard to say we are better than the dodgers, so at this point I hope we can buck the trend and sneak past. I wonder how much of an underdog we'll be, I also wonder if Kershaw starts game 1 or they go with Beuhler like they did in the DS. I would assume Kershaw but I also didn't think Beuhler would start game 1 of the DS and he did.

[owbc]

Puig says Dodgers in 4, I say Bucks in 6.

[3and2Fastball]

Burnes - 2 Innings

Soria - 1 Inning

Hader - 2 Innings

Knebel - 2 Innings

Jeffress -1 or 2 Innings

 

Realistically, how often can the Brewers do that? Games 1, 3, 5, 7? Something like that with off days. If you can get a good game or two out of Chacin and ideally our offense goes off for a game or two, putting up 7-8 runs so we can rest our top pitchers, I like our chances.

[StCroixCtyBrewer]

For me, Game 1 is about as big as it gets. The Dodgers are banking and expecting that they'll have a 1-0 series lead after Kershaw pitches. Scratch, claw, do whatever you can to score runs in Game 1 and come out with a win and it'll automatically put LA on their heels.

 

Maybe it's simply being hopeful, but I am optimistic about Kershaw being less than dominant on the road in a hostile environment. Let's see if he proves me wrong.

[homer]

I don't think Kershaw is the unhittable monster he was two or three years ago

[adambr2]

I don't think Kershaw is the unhittable monster he was two or three years ago

 

I found it borderline incredible that he only had 1 outing this season where he did not allow an earned run. Chacin by comparison had 6.

 

Of course, make no mistake, he's still darn good.

[Eye Black]

Christian Yelich in his career is 9-for-17, with a double, 2 home runs, and a walk against Clayton Kershaw.

[nodakfan17]

All of the pressure is on the Dodgers:

 

- Defending NL Champs

- Ace Pitcher (with a so-so postseason history)

- Big move for Machado

- Big Payroll / Market

 

Let’s have fun.

[Eye Black]

One thing that has oddly given me a bit a confidence heading into this NLCS matchup is how the Cardinals beat the Brewers in 2011.

 

That series the Cardinals didn’t have a single starting pitcher go more than 5 innings pitched in a game (their starters IP totals were 4.0, 4.1, 5.0, 4.1, 4.2, 2.0). In the 6 games, they had two relievers that appeared in 5 of them (Lynn, Rzepczynski) and three other relievers appear in 4 of the games (Dotel, Motte, Salas). Those five relievers combined to pitch a total of 24.2 innings throughout the series and gave up just 3 earned runs to a potent Brewers offense. The Brewers were just totally shutdown in the second half of most of those games.

 

For the Brewers to beat the Dodgers I think they will need a similar blueprint.

[82brewcrew82]

I don't think Kershaw is the unhittable monster he was two or three years ago

I agree and in general I think the board has built up the Dodgers as a whole a bit larger than they are. Still a very good team and a legit threat, but it's close.

[Zad Fnark]

I believe the Brewers have roughed up Kershaw in the past.

[82brewcrew82]

One thing that has oddly given me a bit a confidence heading into this NLCS matchup is how the Cardinals beat the Brewers in 2011.

 

That series the Cardinals didn’t have a single starting pitcher go more than 5 innings pitched in a game (their starters IP totals were 4.0, 4.1, 5.0, 4.1, 4.2, 2.0). In the 6 games, they had two relievers that appeared in 5 of them (Lynn, Rzepczynski) and three other relievers appear in 4 of the games (Dotel, Motte, Salas). Those five relievers combined to pitch a total of 24.2 innings throughout the series and gave up just 3 earned runs to a potent Brewers offense. The Brewers were just totally shutdown in the second half of most of those games.

 

For the Brewers to beat the Dodgers I think they will need a similar blueprint.

I couldn't agree more. I think this Brewers team is a bad match up for the Dodgers because of the way we use our pen. I think we have the edge in the pen, pitching as a whole, and defensively with our positioning. Their offense is deep and versatile. Ours is too but I think the Dodgers have an edge there. On top of that we are the hottest team in the game with home field advantage. I'm just not buying that the Dodgers are a huge favorite if one at all. Having said all that, the offense has to come to play. I think they will need to be significantly better than they were against Colorado and I'm not sure we can count on that.

[Outlander]

All of the pressure is on the Dodgers:

 

- Defending NL Champs

- Ace Pitcher (with a so-so postseason history)

- Big move for Machado

- Big Payroll / Market

 

Let’s have fun.

I actually still think there is a lot of pressure on the Brewers because of home field. Really think the Brewers need to set the tone with the series and win the first one. If they lose the first then there is a ton of pressure the second game because the next three are in LA.

[MrTPlush]

Our offense is going to have to come through to win this series. We won’t win a bunch of low scoring games in this series and face some really good pitching.we can only depend on the like of Miley/Gio to look like aces for so long.

[coolhandluke121]

I think the Cubs had a little more elite blue-chip talent, but that's not as important as depth and avoiding weak links in baseball. You can't afford for a single star player to have a down year, and the Cubs had 3 or 4 of them. They're like the Brewers will Braun/Fielder and Yuni/McGehee. You can win 96 and yet it often feels like you're hanging by a thread.

 

Unfortunately, the Dodgers have both depth and blue-chip talent, and they're putting it together at the worst possible time for the Brewers. It's baseball and anything can happen, but I think 60/40 is reasonable odds. It wouldn't be a surprise or major upset if the Brewers win at all, but they're understandably underdogs. I love the match-up because both teams are complete and well-managed. If I was a fan of some other random team, I'd rather watch both these teams play than the 2018 Yankees or Cubs (or 2011 Brewers) for example.

[StearnsFTW]

Anyone got a link to a Dodgers board?

[bjkrautk]

"In seven starts at Dodger Stadium, Miley is 4-0 with a 2.06 ERA."

 

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-brewers-next-20181008-story.html

 

Also noteworthy from the article, this tidbit from Clayton Kershaw: "One of these days, maybe in the playoffs, I'll figure out how to get Yelich out."

 

(We all know that's not going to happen!)

[StearnsFTW]

"In seven starts at Dodger Stadium, Miley is 4-0 with a 2.06 ERA."

 

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-brewers-next-20181008-story.html

 

Also noteworthy from the article, this tidbit from Clayton Kershaw: "One of these days, maybe in the playoffs, I'll figure out how to get Yelich out."

 

(We all know that's not going to happen!)

 

And that wasn't even playing-with-his-hair-on-fire Yelich. Gonna need him, obviously.

[KeithStone53151]

I'm not sure if this is listed in the article above, but I noticed that Yelich is 500 career against Kershaw, this season he's 4 for 6 with 2 HR and a double. That's certainly helpful, hopefully that continues.

 

Pretty much every other brewer is very bad against Kershaw. Here's hoping Yelich can carry us

[pacopete4]

I'm not sure if this is listed in the article above, but I noticed that Yelich is 500 career against Kershaw, this season he's 4 for 6 with 2 HR and a double. That's certainly helpful, hopefully that continues.

 

Pretty much every other brewer is very bad against Kershaw. Here's hoping Yelich can carry us

 

Well, to be fair, none of them really have that many at bats against him. The one that has the most at bats against him has a pretty solid line: Braun- .289/.308/.421/.729

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

I'm not sure if this is listed in the article above, but I noticed that Yelich is 500 career against Kershaw, this season he's 4 for 6 with 2 HR and a double. That's certainly helpful, hopefully that continues.

 

Pretty much every other brewer is very bad against Kershaw. Here's hoping Yelich can carry us

 

Well, to be fair, none of them really have that many at bats against them. The one that has the most at bats against him has a pretty solid line: Braun- .289/.308/.421/.729

 

Hometown team ... national stage ... going against multiple lefties. I predict Braun tears the cover off the ball this series. I think he puts the team on his back and carries them to the World Series

[brewerfan82]

I'd pass on Jennings. Just because he is a LHP doesn't mean he is better than another RHP on the roster...

I don't know, seems like he's a pretty good option against lefties. After Hader, Jeffress, and Burnes, who are pretty much locked into roles already, Cedeno and Jennings are our two best options to bring in to face a lefty.

 

[NievesNoNO]

Man, I can't wait for this to start! Two complete rosters facing off; one with the better starters the other with the better bullpen. I'm going to try and enjoy this and not stress when I watch . All the same reasons we have to be concerned about the Dodgers they have the same number to be concerned about the Brewers. Love that we start at home! I'd treat that 1st game like it's a win or go home. Empty the bullpen to get game 1 if needed. That's what they've been doing so I guess I don't expect much different.

[MadScientist]

Basic strategy - get an early lead, make the Dodgers panic a bit and pull the starter early for a PH. Then its bullpen vs bullpen and I know which one I'd bet on.