3 things Brewers fans should know about the Los Angeles Dodgers before the NLCS

After an emotional Game 5 victory over the Chicago Cubs and just one day to recover, the Milwaukee Brewers now shift their focus to the Los Angeles Dodgers, their opponent for the National League Championship Series. With a trip to the World Series at stake, the pressure couldn’t be higher, and Brewers fans need to be ready. Here are three things to know about the Dodgers before the NLCS begins.

3 things Milwaukee Brewers fans should know about the Los Angeles Dodgers before the NLCS begins

1) The Dodgers have four elite starting pitchers and are using Roki Sasaki as their closer

Los Angeles has played six postseason games so far, two in the Wild Card Series against the Cincinnati Reds (a 2-0 sweep) and four in the Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies (winning 3-1). Manager Dave Roberts has relied on a consistent starting rotation of Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani. As announced by Roberts yesterday, Snell, who is pitching like the 2x Cy Young Award winner that he is, will start Game 1 of the NLCS tonight.

Expect these four to remain true starting pitchers throughout the NLCS, as the Dodgers have yet to turn to an opener, a decision largely influenced by their shaky bullpen. That bullpen currently includes veteran Clayton Kershaw, who announced he would retire at season’s end and struggled in his lone NLDS appearance against the Phillies.

Outside of Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, and Emmet Sheehan, relievers who Los Angeles has turned to frequently in October, the Dodgers have been using rookie sensation Roki Sasaki as their closer this postseason. Sasaki already has two saves to his name, but he’s also shown the ability to provide length out of the bullpen as well, most notably throwing three innings in the Dodgers' clinching game against the Phillies. So far, he’s been the Dodgers’ most effective bullpen weapon, delivering 5.1 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit.

2) Shohei Ohtani is in a slump at the plate

Whether he's pitching or DHing, two-way star Shohei Ohtani draws a large audience as he excels in both areas of the game. Ohtani is a front runner to win a second consecutive MVP award after slugging 55 homers, driving in 102 runs, and walking an outstanding 109 times, on top of having a 2.87 ERA in 14 starts this season.

That said, Ohtani has been quiet at the plate so far in the playoffs, slashing .148/.233/.370 with 12 strikeouts over 27 at-bats. He is still a major threat that Milwaukee will have to contend with, but having him not at his best is certainly a plus for the Brewers as they look to navigate this home run-heavy lineup that also features Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Tommy Edman, and others.

3) Max Muncy generally does not start against left-handed pitchers

Much like in the NLDS, where the Cubs' first baseman, Michael Busch, sat against left-handed starters, the Dodgers are taking a similar approach with third baseman Max Muncy. The twist? His replacement, Kiké Hernández, has been red-hot this postseason, racking up seven hits, four RBI, and an .809 OPS after finishing the regular season with just a .621 OPS.

Muncy, a 2x All-Star who has been an important piece of the Dodgers’ run of success over the last eight years, is also playing well this postseason, with a .825 OPS to prove it. However, Muncy had a .564 OPS against southpaws this season, so Dave Roberts has generally elected to start Hernández at third base against left-handed starters in the postseason.

Evidently, Roberts doesn't expect Aaron Ashby to pitch much in Game 1, as he is electing to start Muncy in the 7th spot in the order in tonight's series opener. The question for Pat Murphy and company is whether or not to keep Ashby in the game until Muncy's spot in the order comes up, with the Brewers holding a clear advantage in that matchup should it occur.

As first pitch rapidly approaches, the Dodgers arrive with a lineup known for its power hitting and starting pitchers who consistently go deep into games. Although their bullpen depth raises some concerns, if the ball finds its way into Sasaki’s hands, Milwaukee will face a tough challenge.

However, Milwaukee swept the Dodgers during the regular season. If they want to extend their postseason run, they’ll need to stick to their game, which relies on chasing starters out of games early, continually applying pressure, and tacking on runs.