Underwhelming performance from Brewers' starting duo makes NLCS sweep of Dodgers even more impressive

"For the Brewers to beat the Dodgers, Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson will have to be perfect." How many times did Milwaukee Brewers fans hear that or a similar sentiment heading into their NLCS rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers? While most believed that the Brewers as a whole would have to be perfect in order to knock off the reigning back-to-back World Series champions, there was a particular emphasis on the starting pitching duo to meet their high expectations.

However, looking back on the Brewers' historic sweep of the Dodgers which sent Milwaukee to the World Series for the first time since 1982, neither Miz nor Henderson was anywhere near perfect, but Pat Murphy's squad knocked off Dave Roberts' star-studded roster nonetheless. That's not to say Miz and Henderson's performances were especially poor -- both of them gave the Brewers a good chance to win their respective starts -- but neither lived up to the lofty expectations they set during the regular season.

Misiorowski's start in Game 1 of the NLCS was eerily similar to his start in Game 1 of the NLDS. Just like the San Diego Padres, the Dodgers executed an approach of fouling off pitches, working deep counts, and elevating Misiorowski's pitch count, which was made easier by the fact that the Brewers' ace didn't have the same ride on his fastball that he did throughout the regular season. In part due to late-season fatigue, Miz has averaged 13-14 inches of induced vertical break or "rise" on his four-seamer during the postseason after living in the 15-16-inch range during the regular season. That may not sound like a big difference, but it allowed the Dodgers' lineup to get bat to ball more frequently, foul off pitches they would normally whiff at, and force Miz to throw 94 pitches in just 4.1 innings.

Miz didn't help himself by walking three batters during his short start in Game 1, one of which came around to score. Misiorowski's final stat line certainly doesn't look poor -- he allowed just one run in 4.1 innings and collected five strikeouts -- but it's clear from the five hits he allowed and the laborious nature of his start that the soon-to-be Cy Young ace wasn't his normal, dominant self.

In Game 2, Henderson made the second postseason start of his career after his playoff debut in the NLDS. From a pitching standpoint, it was a slightly underwhelming performance from Henderson, who allowed two earned runs on two walks and three hits in just four innings. The rookie right-hander's velocity was up a tick, the movement on his pitches was normal, but in the end, a series of unforced errors from Henderson himself cut his start short.

A first-inning wild pitch moved Mookie Betts to third base, which allowed a sacrifice fly off the bat of Teoscar Hernández to score him and give the Dodgers an early lead. Then, a throwing error by Henderson on a pick-off to first base gave Los Angeles their second run in the third inning. Two innings later, Henderson committed another throwing error after fielding a sacrifice bunt, and was immediately pulled from the game. Therefore, while Henderson only allowed two earned runs, he allowed four total runs solely due to his own unforced errors.

Together, the Brewers' rotation one-two punch covered 8.1 innings, allowed five runs, surrendered eight hits, and walked five batters during the NLCS. That pair of underwhelming performances undoubtedly makes the Brewers' sweep of the Dodgers even more impressive and should have fans encouraged about Milwaukee's chances in the World Series if Miz and Henderson live up to their expectations.

Brewers sweeping Dodgers with pedestrian performances from starting duo is another reason for confidence in World Series

There are two ways of looking at the performances from Misiorowski and Henderson in the NLCS. The pessimistic view is that these two starts are indicative of what's to come in the Fall Classic from Milwaukee's starting duo. However, Misiorowski and Henderson's overall body of work throughout the 2026 season suggests this pair of starts is the exception, not the new norm. Additionally, aside from the reduced ride on Miz's fastball, which is undoubtedly something to monitor, the duo's "stuff" looked normal, leaving little reason to be concerned about their effectiveness going forward.

Therefore, the more optimistic view of Miz and Henderson's NLCS showing is that the Brewers, even without perfect performances from their top two starters, were able to knock off the mighty Dodgers. Imagine how dominant the Brewers will be if Miz and Henderson are their normal selves in the World Series.

With the Brewers' bullpen pitching as they are right now, it's not necessary, as some suggested prior to the NLCS, that the Brewers' rotation duo is perfect. Rather, they simply need to continue giving the Brewers a chance to win, as they have through each of their first two postseason appearances this year. Additionally, with seven full days off before the Fall Classic, there is no added pressure for Miz or Henderson to work deep into games during the World Series, but doing so in their normal dominant fashion would undoubtedly be a boost for the Brewers.

The Brewers didn't just survive the NLCS without their top two starters pitching to the caliber they are capable of; they dominated the reigning champs in a four-game sweep. That reality makes their historic sweep that much more impressive and should build even more confidence among the fanbase that if Miz and Henderson look like their normal selves in the Fall Classic, the Brewers have an even better chance of securing the first World Series title in franchise history.

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