UPDATE: The Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers have made critical changes to their bullpens ahead of the National League Championship Series (NLCS), set to kick off on Monday, October 16, 2023, in Milwaukee. The Brewers have excluded right-hander Nick Mears, who had a solid regular season with 63 relief appearances, while they have brought in Tobias Myers, who did not participate in the NL Division Series against the Chicago Cubs.
The Dodgers are also shaking things up. They have added right-hander Ben Casparius to their roster, replacing Dalton Rushing, who saw limited action during the NLDS with just one at-bat. This shift underscores the urgency of optimizing their pitching depth as both teams gear up for this pivotal series.
Mears finished the regular season with a record of 5-3 and a 3.49 ERA, contributing 1 2/3 scoreless innings in the NLDS. In contrast, Myers, who is making his postseason debut, recorded a 1-2 record with a 3.55 ERA in 22 appearances this season. His performance last year included a remarkable five shutout innings against the New York Mets in the NL Wild Card Series.
The Brewers’ roster for the NLCS will notably be without two-time All-Star pitcher Brandon Woodruff, who is still recovering from a right lat strain. This absence could critically impact Milwaukee’s chances in the series.
On the Dodgers’ side, Casparius, who had a 7-5 record with a 4.64 ERA this season, brings postseason experience. He previously logged 1.42 ERA in 6 1/3 innings during last year’s playoffs, including 4 1/3 scoreless innings in the NLCS, aiding the Dodgers on their path to the World Series title.
As the NLCS approaches, fans and analysts alike are closely watching these roster moves. The urgency to optimize pitching strategies in a high-stakes series cannot be overstated. With the Dodgers and Brewers both eager to seize momentum, each bullpen decision could be a game-changer.
Stay tuned for more updates as Game 1 of the NLCS unfolds in Milwaukee.
