MLB Roundup 10/14: Dodgers even up NLCS

Dodgers tie up NLCS with Game Two victory

The story over in the National League in the series between the Dodgers and Brewers is the disparity between the two clubs’ bullpens. In Milwaukee, they have perhaps the most dominant unit in all of baseball. Their rotation isn’t great, but Craig Counsell has enough talent in his relief corps that he can have an incredibly short leash with his starter and turn to the bullpen on a whim. The Dodgers, meanwhile, have Kenley Jansen and not much else. Oh, and Jansen has dealt with injury and not been himself this year. This edge showed up in a huge way in Game One of this series, and it figured to continue to be a theme as the series continued on Saturday. Instead, the bullpens switched expected roles. Josh Hader, the Brewers top reliever, was unavailable in this game and it showed.

Our old friend Wade Miley got the start in this game for the Brewers, and he actually pitched extremely well. The lefty allowed just two hits without allowing a run over 5 ²⁄₃ innings. After he was pulled, things changed. By the time the seventh inning began, the Dodgers were trailing 3-0 thanks largely to a couple of solo homers from Travis Shaw (another old friend) and Orlando Arcia. The tide started to change in the seventh. The Dodgers rallied against Corbin Burnes and Jeremy Jeffress, scoring two in the seventh. In the eighth, Jeffress came back out and he faced two batters. It was a crucial two batters, though, as he allowed a base hit before Justin Turner came up and smashed the go ahead homer. From there the Dodgers bullpen, which combined for 4 ²⁄₃ scoreless innings in this game, shut down the Brewers and held on for the victory. Now, the series heads back to Los Angeles all knotted up.

You can get the Dodgers perspective of their victory here, while Milwaukees perspective can be found here.