Brewers on the Brink: Will They Defy the Odds or Will a Safer Bet Pay Off?

So here we are, staring down the barrel of Game 4 between the Brewers and Dodgers, and honestly, who could have predicted the Brewers would be scrambling not just to avoid a sweep, but to save a shred of dignity after that infamous L flag photo? I mean, I was ready to sit this one out but hey, where’s the fun in that? After nailing my predictions 3-0 so far, I’ve got to throw my hat in the ring once more. The Brewers’ offense has been about as much use as a screen door on a submarine—one run per game isn’t quite what you call lighting up the scoreboard—and the Dodgers’ pitchers have been downright unhittable. Meanwhile, the Brewers’ manager’s choice to shuffle starting pitchers rather than letting them plant their feet and take the ball from the get-go? It’s got me scratching my head. And just when you think it couldn’t get juicier, the Dodgers trot out Shohei Ohtani—yes, that Ohtani—on the mound, a potential Cy Young candidate not just pitching but dominating at a critical playoff juncture. With Milwaukee desperate and the Dodgers dialed in, can the Brewers punch back or is this the curtain call on this series? Buckle up; it promises to be one heck of a ride. LEARN MORE.

Brewers vs. Dodgers, Game 4, 8:38 ET

I was originally not going to write this article, but what fun would that be? I’ve written something for each of the first three games of the National League Championship Series, and more importantly, I’ve gone 3-0 in the plays. I am putting that on the line here tonight once again as we get into Game 4. The Brewers are desperate to not be swept and embarrassed by the Dodgers, and I’m looking for a sweep of my own in Game 4.

For the record, the Brewers are no 0-3 since taking a photo with an L flag in the background. I believe a certain sports betting writer for Outkick mentioned how dumb this idea was… That would be me. I’m happy that Milwaukee has been losing not only because I’m a Cubs fan and thought this was a lame trolling, but because I still think it is a dumb idea even if they weren’t facing my favorite team. The Brewers have done essentially nothing on offense with them scoring just one run in each of the first three games. It isnt’ like the Dodgers are lighting the world on fire with their offense either, but their pitching has been absurd. They got eight innings out of Blake Snell in Game 1, nine out of Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2, and 5.2 out of Tyler Glasnow yesterday. Glasnow didn’t go too deep, and he did allow a run, but the Brewers still managed just four total hits for the game and struck out 12 times. For whatever reason, the Brewers started Aaron Ashby instead of Jacob Misiorowski who turned in a good performance, allowing just three hits and one earned run over five innings.

The question now is about who the Brewers will send to the hill. I suppose it has to be all hands on deck, but I really doubt they will send out Freddy Peralta or Misiorowski in this one. I could see them using Quinn Priester as he turned in a very strong performance in the series opener, going four innings. Honestly, I really don’t understand what the Brewers are trying to do with not having their starters actually start games. It just doesn’t make much sense. If you’re going to have them throw four or five innings anyway, why not just have them go from the beginning. This is a bit of their manager trying to be too cute. I get Ashby is a lefty and maybe he is trying to deliver on matchup advantages, but this seems over the top. Additionally, Shohei Ohtani 4-for-4 against Ashby in his career before this series against Ashby. Ohtani is the starter for the Dodgers tonight. Talk about an embarrassment of riches – the Dodgers are throwing a potential Cy Young candidate as their fourth starter in a playoff series. In the series against the Phillies, Ohtani pitched six innings of three-run ball, allowing three hits while striking out nine hitters. The Dodgers till won the game 5-3. He hasn’t pitched in 13 days, so it is possible that he doesn’t go as deep into the game as they continue to watch his workload, but five innings still seems reasonable. Especially considering the Brewers haven’t gotten any offense going.

Ohtani is not hitting the ball, but that didn’t really impact his pitching very much. I actually think him pitching might give him a break mentally from the dish. He is having a rough playoffs, with 17 strikeouts in 38 at-bats and just six hits. The Brewers should be fine with Priester on the mound, if he does in fact take the ball. I don’t think the Dodgers are deserving over being -200 favorites tonight, though. Milwaukee is certainly the value play. I think this is one where both teams can break out the bats a bit. I’ll back the over for this game.

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