The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the National League Championship Series with a wealth of postseason experience but nonetheless faced questions on how they would fare against a dominant Milwaukee Brewers bullpen.
But through the first two games, it would be difficult to argue the Dodgers’ bullpen has not been the better unit. In Game 1, Milwaukee relievers combined to allow four runs in seven innings and nearly blew what swelled to a 6-1 lead.
In Game 2, their bullpen allowed four runs to negate 5.2 shutout innings from Wade Miley and allow the Dodgers to tie the series as it now shifts to Dodger Stadium.
“I think that that’s something that to a man, I think our guys are taking it personal,” manager Dave Roberts said of his relievers being overlooked. “Our guys are pretty good back there, too. And so there’s not a whole lot said about them. But without those guys, we wouldn’t be in this position.”
The Dodgers bullpen has allowed six hits, two runs, and collected nine strikeouts over 9.2 innings thus far. “It’s not something that I need to talk about or fire the guys up,” Roberts added.
“These guys are competitors. And when you look across the diamond and you see people that are doing the same thing you’re doing, but are getting more notoriety or whatever, people have pride. And so I’m speaking for them, but I know these guys are taking it personal.”
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