The Brewers used an ‘opener’ to start Game 1 of the NLCS and will probably do that multiple times during the series. Manager Dave Roberts says the Dodgers anticipate this and will adjust when necessary.
They opened Game 5 of their Division Series with their closer and they opened Game 1 of the National League Championship Series with an opener. The Milwaukee Brewers’ idea of pitching roles is fluid to say the least.
The only given is likely to be Freddy Peralta. The staff ace will start Game 2 against the Dodgers – and probably Game 7 if the series goes the distance.
“We’re going to have to piece it together. That’s how we do it,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “It’s patchwork. It’s proven to be pretty good. Yelly (Christian Yelich) calls it the collection of misfit toys.”
Actually, they fit pretty well. The Brewers had the lowest ERA in the National League during the regular season (3.58).
The choice of left-hander Aaron Ashby to open for Quinn Priester in Game 1 against the Dodgers was an obvious one. Murphy has said the gameplan against Shohei Ohtani is to feed him as many left-handed pitchers as possible.
“It makes the other team make a choice – Do you want to bat those guys there, and you’re going to get a leverage matchup early on,” Murphy said.
“I do think there’s also a little softer landing for a rookie pitcher (Priester is actually in his second year). I’m not sure those factors are that big, but it’s basically now the true starter may not have to face those opposite-hand sluggers more than twice, because we all know the numbers about three times around.”
There is no choice for the Dodgers – Ohtani is batting leadoff, regardless of the opposing pitcher.
