The Brewers’ X-factor in their NLCS matchup with the Dodgers

The Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs had never met in the postseason prior to this year's NLDS, but it's safe to say the two division rivals made sure their maiden October meeting lived up to the hype.

After taking a commanding 2-0 lead at home, the Brewers were helpless as the Cubs responded with two wins of their own at Wrigley Field. That set the stage for a winner-takes-all Game 5, which, thanks to some timely slugging and brilliant pitching, Milwaukee won 3-1.

Now, the Brewers get the pleasure of hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, in what will be a matchup of the largest and 22nd-largest payrolls in baseball.

In order to overcome the reigning champions and make the World Series for the first time since 1982, the Crew is going to need some magic from an unlikely source. Why shouldn't it be the pitcher who had the worst NLDS of anyone on the roster?

Quinn Priester set for playoff redemption against Dodgers in NLCS

To put it bluntly, Priester was a disaster in his NLDS appearance against the Cubs. It was always a tough assignment -- making your first postseason start on the road in one of the most hostile stadiums in baseball against a team you have a career 6.20 ERA against wasn't exactly a recipe for success -- but he didn't even make it out of the first inning.

The 25-year-old right-hander threw 39 pitches, just 21 of which went for strikes, as the Cubs got to him for four runs via three hits and two walks. Chicago wouldn't score again once Priester left the game, but the damage was done.

So, why then is Priester the Brewers' X-factor for the NLCS?

For one thing, Pat Murphy continued to speak highly of the young righty after his tough NLDS outing, saying that the team would need him later on in their playoff run. After the amount of innings the Brewers had to milk out of their bullpen just to get past the Cubs, it's safe to say they'll need more depth from their starters to overcome the mighty Dodgers.

Also, Priester has already dominated this Dodgers lineup. Back on July 18, he delivered arguably the best outing of his career, pitching six scoreless innings while striking out 10. He allowed just three hits and no walks while pitching in Chavez Ravine.

There was nothing cheap about the performance, either. He struck out Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman in order to start the game, and he struck out the side again in the fifth inning against Teoscar Hernandez, Michael Conforto, and Andy Pages.

His stuff simply matches up better against Los Angeles, who also haven't had the benefit of already seeing him three times this season like the Cubs did.

In order to beat such a superstar-studded team, the Brewers will need heroic performances from players up and down their roster. If Priester gets a chance to right his playoff wrongs, history says he could deliver one of those performances.