The Dodgers are staring down an NLCS Game 2 where they’re already trailing the Brewers 1-0, and honestly, their offense has been basically invisible, only scratching across one measly run so far. This afternoon, they’re sending their ace, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, to the mound in Milwaukee, banking hard on his postseason magic to pull them back into this series.
Yamamoto’s Playoff Power vs. The Pressure Cooker
Look, if there’s anyone who can stop the bleeding for the Dodgers, it’s Yamamoto. The guy is a playoff beast, plain and simple. His postseason record stands at an incredible 9-1, and get this, he’s UNDEFEATED in all six of his road playoff starts. That’s clutch, right? The last time he even faced the Brewers in the NLCS, just last season, he straight up delivered his first career complete game in a dominant 5-1 victory. With a right-hander like Yamamoto on the bump, you can bet Christian Yelich is going to be back in that Brewers lineup, ready to swing. But for the Dodgers, it’s all on Yamamoto to replicate that kind of performance under immense pressure.
This Rookie Logan Henderson Is A Problem, For Real
The Brewers, though, they’re not backing down, not when they’ve got rookie Logan Henderson countering Yamamoto. This kid has been a revelation! During the regular season, he was an impressive 11-3 with a nasty 2.47 ERA. Even in this postseason, he’s shown glimpses, pitching 5.0 innings against the Padres, snagging four strikeouts, and only giving up one run on two hits before being pulled after just 71 pitches. Here’s the kicker though: Henderson has absolutely owned the Dodgers. He out-dueled Tarik Skubal back in August at Dodger Stadium, throwing a career-high seven innings in a victory that actually helped the Brewers snag home field advantage throughout these playoffs. The Dodgers? They managed just one run off him in that game, a Max Muncy homer in the fourth. And when they faced him in Milwaukee earlier this season, they couldn’t even get a single run. The numbers don’t lie, Henderson has racked up 13 K’s in 12 innings against the Dodgers this year. This rookie is legit, and he’s clearly got their number.
Dodgers’ Offense Is A Ghost Town, And Time Is Running Out
Here’s the real gut punch for the Dodgers: they’re getting guys on base, that’s not the issue. The problem, the absolutely soul-crushing problem, is actually getting those runners across the plate. It’s plagued this team all season, and it’s rearing its ugly head at the worst possible time. Besides a Max Muncy homer, only Andy Pages has come through with a key hit that wasn’t a long ball. You can have all the pitching in the world, and the Dodgers certainly do with Yamamoto starting today, but if the offense doesn’t wake up, and like, RIGHT NOW, then this series is going to slip away faster than you can say “NLCS exit.”
This Game 2 kicks off today at 2:03 p.m. PT from American Family Field in Milwaukee. It’s the No. 2 seed Dodgers trying to claw their way back against the No. 1 seed Brewers. Down 1-0, this isn’t just another game, it’s pretty much a must-win to avoid going down 2-0 before heading back home. Can the offense finally deliver for Yamamoto? We’re about to find out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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