Championship Series Day 8 Preview

The Dodgers look to join the Red Sox in the World Series by winning either this evening’s game or tomorrow’s game. The Brewers now have their backs against the wall and need to win two to keep their hopes and dreams alive.

Today’s game in Milwaukee gets underway tonight at 8:39 ET.

Brewers’ Starter

Craig Counsell tried to pull a fast one on the Dodgers in Game 5, sending left hander Wade Miley out there to face one batter before bringing in right hander Brandon Woodruff. It was a solid strategy, as the Dodgers rely heavily on platoons, and doing this allowed Woodruff to face more righties than he otherwise would have. However, Dave Roberts suspected such as still started lefties Max Muncy and Cody Bellinger. It didn’t matter in the end, as the Dodgers still won 5-2.

So Miley is set to head out there again today, and I believe the assumption is that he will be the actual pitcher who will be getting outs for at least the first few innings. Miley was fantastic back in game 2, throwing 5.2 shutout innings, allowing just a pair of hits while striking out 3. If you add in his start from the ALDS against the Rockies, Miley has thrown 10.1 shutout innings in this postseason, allowing 5 hits and a pair of walks including the one to kick off game 5.

Dodgers’ Starter

The Dodgers will go with lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu in this one, looking to ride his arm to the World Series. Ryu struggled a bit in game 2 of the NLCS, working only 4.2 innings while allowing 2 runs on 6 hits, walking none and striking out 4. Light hitting shortstop Orlando Arcia took him deep in the 5th inning.

Ryu’s first start of the postseason, back in game 1 of the NLDS against the Braves, went much better as he went 7 shutout innings. He allowed just 4 singles while not walking a batter and striking out 8.

Other Notes

The Brewers, who rely heavily on their big bullpen arms, will enter this game with a rested relief corps. Aside from the off day for everyone yesterday, Jeffress, Hader and Knebel never pitched in game 5. Jeffress also didn’t pitch in game 4, having been heavily used in the first 3 games of the series. So look for Miley to have a very short leash in this one (although maybe longer than in game 5) as the Brewers have their strong bullpen at the ready.

Yasmani Grandal drew the starts in games 1 and 3, struggling on both sides of the ball in both games. Austin Barnes got the start in games 2, 4 and 5, all games against lefties (game 5 be damned), so with Miley going again and Grandal seemingly in the dog house, it could be Barnes behind the plate again in this one.

The Dodgers probably believe that it is Miley starting this one, so look for Freese, Taylor and Kemp to be in the lineup today.

Find the Link

Find the link between Ryu, Miley and Joe Panik