Milwaukee Brewers: Wade Miley & Offense Look to Force Game 7

The Milwaukee Brewers find themselves down 3-to-2 in the NLCS. Some could say that the bullpen came to play, but the bats from key players have gone cold from the usual scorching numbers. Milwaukee will rely on left-handed sensation Wade Miley to get some outs on the mound.

The Milwaukee Brewers came in to the NLCS with high hopes of advancing to their first World Series since 1982. The only thing that stood in the way was Hollywood’s team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Heading into Game 3 in Los Angeles, the Brewers had one thing in mind:  World Series or bust. The Brewers won that game 4-0. Then the Dodgers won a thirteen inning thriller in Game 4 and not to mention a dominant performance by ace, Clayton Kershaw as they also went on to win Game 5.

What Has Happened?

As Milwaukee Brewers’ fans know from the last two games, the offense has not only been quiet but also nonexistent. Lorenzo Cain is batting 7-36 (.194 AVG) this postseason, Christian Yelich–hopefully soon to be NL MVP–is not putting up MVP caliber numbers this NLCS; batting .150 (3-20), and Jesus Aguilar isn’t able to produce with runners in scoring position when it really counts. The bottom of the order in Orlando Arcia, and pinch hitter Domingo Santana are putting the numbers that the Brewers need, especially Arcia; batting .316 in the NLCS with two home runs and three RBI.

The Brewers’ bullpen has still been lights out. Wade Miley, who will be starting today for Game 6, only threw five pitches in Game 5 and walked Cody Bellinger to lead off the game. That was all part of the plan. After walking Bellinger, Brewers manager Craig Counsell was quick to put the game into one of the league’s best bullpen’s hands. Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Corey Knebel have been making Dodger hitters look foolish throughout the series.

What Needs To Happen?

If the Milwaukee Brewers would like to fight on for another day, they will need to have confidence in Miley today on the mound. A dominant performance like in Game 2 is what the team and fans are looking for. A focused, sharp, hard throwing pitcher to start out the game is what the Brewers will need in order to have control of the Dodgers all game long.

The other thing is simple, our star players need to put the bat on the ball in key situations. If Cain, Yelich and Aguilar can produce the way they did in the regular season then fans will be buying tickets for Game 7 and maybe even the Fall Classic. Also, make sure that we get on base for the got hitters and runs will be produced.

Another thing is that the ball will need to be put in the hands of our best pitchers out of the bullpen.  In key game moments, the Brewers bullpen has struck out so many L.A. batters in this NCLS–especially in that thirteen inning game of Game 3–that it’s absolutely ridiculous in a good way.

Last and certainly not least, for fans reading this:  make Miller Park an absolute “Thunder Dome” with you cheers and maybe even louder jeers for a certain “Dirty Dodger”. Now that the Milwaukee Brewers have come back to play another game, those fans will give it all they got if the players do as well. If the fans get behind the Brewers, it could be the last piece of the puzzle for the Brewers to have one more shot at the 2018 World Series against Boston who clinched the American League pennant over defending World Champion Houston Astros.

Game 6 will see a rematch of Game 2 as Hyun-Jin Ryu against Miley at 7:39 pm in Milwaukee.  If the Brewers win, Game 7 will be tomorrow night in Milwaukee. If the Dodgers win, it’ll be their second consecutive appearance as National League champions in the 2018 World Series. Let’s play seven and make it to the World Series.