Game 2: Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers, 8:08pm ET (LAD leads 1-0)
Where to watch: TBS, HBO Max
Probable pitchers: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-1, 2.53 ERA, 11 K) vs. RHP Freddy Peralta (1-1, 4.66 ERA, 15 K)
Naturally, in an NLCS between the two highest scoring teams in the National
League, Game 1 saw a pitchers’ duel that the Dodgers came out on top of, 2-1. Blake Snell stole all the headlines, dominating the potent Brewers offense over eight shutout innings. Snell’s final line of 8 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB and 10 K made it not only the best start of his postseason career, but the first time in National League postseason history that a pitcher tossed 8+ innings while allowing 1 or fewer hits with 10+ strikeouts.
Even with Snell’s sublime outing, the Brewers still had a chance to take Game 1. Roki Sasaki entered in the 9th and proceeded to walk Isaac Collins, give up a ground-rule double to Jake Bauers and allow a sac fly to Jackson Chourio that cut the LA lead in half. With the tying run on third and the winning run on first, Blake Trienen relieved Sasaki and promptly walked the bases loaded. Treinen then punched out Brice Turang to seal the Dodgers’ victory and take homefield advantage.
Snell has been LA’s best pitcher this postseason, but Yoshinobu Yamamoto was their best starter all season and he gets the ball for the Dodgers in Game 2. Yamamoto struggled a little in his only start in the NLDS, allowing six hits and three runs over four innings in the Dodgers’ only loss to the Phillies. The 27-year-old righty also struggled in his only appearance against the Brewers this season, allowing five runs while only getting two outs in a 9-1 Brewers win.
The Brewers will counter with two-time All-Star Freddy Peralta as they look to stave off an 0-2 hole. Like Yamamoto, Peralta put up 4 IP, 3 ER and 6 K while taking the L against the Cubs in Game 4 of the NLDS. Peralta was on the other side from Yamamoto in that 9-1 Brewers’ win back in July. That evening, Peralta tossed six shutout innings, allowing five this and punching out seven. Milwaukee may need a similar effort from Peralta if they want to leave American Family Field with the series tied.
