Milwaukee Brewers: NLCS Series Preview vs Los Angeles Dodgers

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 31: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers rounds the bases on his way to scoring a run on a double off the bat of Lorenzo Cain of the Milwaukee Brewers as Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 31: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers rounds the bases on his way to scoring a run on a double off the bat of Lorenzo Cain of the Milwaukee Brewers as Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 31, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 05: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers the pitch during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves during Game Two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 05: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers the pitch during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves during Game Two of the National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on October 5, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Dodgers Pitching Staff

The Starters

  1. Clayton Kershaw*   9-5/2.73 ERA/161.1 IP/142 K (1-0/0.00 ERA/8.0 IP/3 K in Game 2)
  2. Hyun Jin Ryu*   7-3/1.97 ERA/82.1 IP/89 K (1-0/0.00/7.0 IP/8 K in Game 1)
  3. Walker Buehler   8-5/2.62 ERA/137.1 IP/151 K (5 IP/5 ER/3 BB/7 K in Game 3)
  4. Rich Hill*   11-5/3.66 ERA/132.2 IP/150 K (4.1 IP/2 ER/5 BB/3 K in Game 4)

This is a rotation full of lefties that have been dominant this season. As everyone knows, Clayton Kershaw is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Hyun Jin Ryu shut out the Braves in Game 1. Walker Buehler is the Dodgers young hurler that had a little trouble in Game 3. Rich Hill is up and down, but when he’s on, he dominates a ballgame.

Key Bullpen Pieces

CP: Kenley Jansen   1-5/38 SV3.01 ERA/71.2 IP/82 K (2 IP/1 H/3 K/1 SV/0.00 ERA in NLDS)

SU: Pedro Baez   4-3/2.88 ERA/56.1 IP/62 K (2.1 IP/0 H/3 K/0.00 ERA in NLDS)

SU: Scott Alexander*   2-1/3.68 ERA/66.0 IP/56 K (1.0 IP/0 H/0.00 ERA in NLDS)

MR: Kenta Maeda   8-10/3.81 ERA/125.1 IP/153 K (1.0 IP/2 H/1 K/0.00 ERA in NLDS)

MR: Dylan Floro   6-3/2.25 ERA/64.0 IP/58 K (0.1 IP/0 H/0.00 ERA in NLDS)

Dodgers have maintained a good bullpen, but it’s not the best.  Kenley Jansen is the top guy, who will close out games. Pedro Baez is next up. He has a high nineties fastball with his secondary pitches being a changeup and a slider. Scott Alexander is a lefty who has been up and down with his sinker/slider mix. Dylan Floro didn’t pitch much in the NLDS, but maintained an ERA in the low two’s in the regular season and will make an impact in the NLCS. Last is Kenta Maeda, who was in the rotation most of the season, but will get big innings out of the bullpen in the playoffs.