Now the Dodgers are up 3-2 in the NLCS, a win away from a return to the Fall Classic and a date with Boston after Clayton Kershaw's gem on Wednesday. Kershaw held Milwaukee to one run on three hits over seven innings with nine strikeouts as he rode his slider and curve ball to a vintage outing.
His fastball didn't crack 92 miles per hour but his off-speed pitches had the Brewers lunging and leaning.
Pedro Baez, Caleb Ferguson, Ryan Madson and Kenley Jansen finished the final two innings and timely hitting by Austin Barnes, Cody Bellinger, Yasiel Puig, Brian Dozier, Max Muncy and Justin Turner propelled Los Angeles to a 5-2 victory.
The Dodgers send Hyun-Jin Ryu to the hill tonight against Wade Miley as Los Angeles looks to close out the NLCS in six games. A Milwaukee victory would force a deciding seventh game on Saturday.
Boston closed out Houston for a 4-1 series win and await the National League representative to start the World Series Tuesday.
Milwaukee came into the NLCS touting a strong bullpen, and they have delivered. However, the Dodgers' relievers have stepped up with Madson, Ferguson, Baez and Kenta Maeda playing major roles in the playoffs.
Brewers' manager Craig Counsell pulled the switcheroo on the Dodgers by sending Wade Miley out for the first batter then switching to right-hander Brandon Woodruff, a move designed to throw off the Los Angeles lineup with a last-minute change to a righty.
Woodruff gave up three runs on five hits in 5.1 innings and right-hander Joakim Soria was tagged for the final two runs.
L.A.'s platoon system, showcasing a deep bench, paid off Wednesday as Barnes, Bellinger, Puig, Muncy and Dozier had critical at bats. Look for right-handed hitters David Freese, Dozier, Kike Hernandez and Matt Kemp to make appearances against Miley.
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