The Dodgers Should Be Worried – Here’s Why the Brewers Are Their Toughest NLCS Challenge Yet
While the Dodgers celebrated their NLDS victory over the Phillies, their next opponent quietly secured their spot in the NL Championship Series with a gritty Game 5 win. The Milwaukee Brewers may not have the star power or payroll of Los Angeles, but they’ve crafted a team that’s greater than the sum of its parts—and they’re coming for the Dodgers with a style of baseball that’s as effective as it is unconventional.
But here’s where it gets controversial… Some might dismiss the Brewers as underdogs, but this team is built to exploit weaknesses—and the Dodgers have more vulnerabilities than they’d like to admit.
1. A Team Defined by Identity, Not Payroll
While the Dodgers boast one of MLB’s highest payrolls ($400M+), the Brewers operate on a fraction of that ($143M—ranking 21st). Instead of chasing big-name free agents, they’ve mastered a small-ball approach: get on base, avoid strikeouts, and pressure defenses with speed and contact. They led MLB in walks, had the second-best batting average with runners in scoring position, and stole more bases than nearly anyone. And here’s the kicker—they did this while ranking 22nd in home runs. This isn’t just strategy—it’s a philosophy. And it’s working.
Controversy Hook: Is small-ball the future, or just a fluke? Could this approach expose the Dodgers’ reliance on power hitting?
2. The Unlikely Mastermind: Pat Murphy
Manager Pat Murphy isn’t your typical MLB skipper. At 66, he spent decades coaching college baseball (Notre Dame, Arizona State) before taking over the Brewers in 2024. His old-school, detail-oriented style has shaped Milwaukee’s relentless brand of baseball—and his quirky habits (like snacking on pocket pancakes during games) make him one of the game’s most colorful figures.
3. A Pitching Staff That Doesn’t Quit
The Brewers’ pitching was second in MLB ERA this year, and they shut down the Dodgers twice in July, holding them to a miserable .179 batting average. Their rotation is deep, their bullpen is lockdown, and they have a knack for turning cast-offs into contributors (more on that later).
4. Freddy Peralta: The Dodgers’ Game 1 Nightmare
Peralta isn’t just Milwaukee’s ace—he’s the NL wins leader (17) and a strikeout machine (204 Ks in 176⅔ innings). His mid-90s fastball looks faster due to his deceptive delivery, and his secondary pitches induce whiffs at an elite rate. The Dodgers struggled against him this year—but here’s the twist—they also lit him up once. Which version shows up in Game 1?
5. The Redemption of Quinn Priester
Once labeled a bust, Priester became the Brewers’ second-best starter (3.32 ERA, 13-3 record) after a midseason trade. He doesn’t overpower hitters, but his sinker generates ground balls at an elite rate. His NLDS debut was a disaster, but if he bounces back, the Dodgers could be in trouble.
6. The Wild Card: Jacob Misiorowski
The rookie flamethrower dominated the Dodgers in July (12 Ks) but faded badly later in the year. Now? He’s shining in the bullpen, throwing 7 scoreless innings in the NLDS. If he locks in, he’s a game-changer.
7. Relentless Depth (On the Mound and at the Plate)
Beyond Peralta, the Brewers have crafty veterans (Jose Quintana, who owns the Dodgers), a stacked bullpen (Trevor Megill, Abner Uribe), and underrated hitters like Brice Turang (.288, 18 HRs) and Andrew Vaughn (.308 after a midseason revival).
8. Home-Field Advantage: A Real Factor
The Brewers went 52-29 at home—better than the Dodgers. And in the NLDS, they were perfect at American Family Field. With Games 1 and 2 in Milwaukee, the pressure is on LA early.
Final Thought: Are the Dodgers Overconfident?
The Brewers don’t have the names, the payroll, or the hype. But they have a system, a mindset, and a pitching staff that’s already beaten the Dodgers twice this year. If LA underestimates them, they could be in for a rude awakening.
What do you think? Are the Brewers a legitimate threat, or will the Dodgers’ talent prevail? Drop your take in the comments!
