Biggest question facing Dodgers, Brewers heading into NLCS

As the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers prepare to meet in the National League Championship Series for the second consecutive year, both teams have one big question facing them.

Biggest question facing Milwaukee Brewers in NLCS

Can Milwaukee's bullpen continue to dominate?

Against the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series, it can be argued that Milwaukee's bullpen was the difference between two very evenly matched clubs.

Brewers relievers allowed just one run in 19 innings against the Padres (equating to a 0.47 ERA) while striking out 16 and walking eight. While the walk number was a bit high, Milwaukee relievers were able to work their way around any time of trouble with not only the walks, but also the 11 hits allowed.

That will be critical against a Dodgers team that will put men on base and force pressure situations. However, Milwaukee's relievers have plenty of confidence heading into the NLCS.

"We've been very consistently the same group of guys all year, so we trust each other with the ball," Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby told me in San Diego on Wednesday night after Milwaukee ousted the Padres. "I know if I get two runners on, DL (Hall), Abner (Uribe), (Trevor) Megill are behind me, and that's an unbelievable feeling as a pitcher.

"I think it just allows the other guys in the bullpen to take a deep breath and trust who they have behind us. That's a special feeling when you got guys like that in the bullpen."

Biggest question facing Los Angeles Dodgers in NLCS

Will it matter if Shohei Ohtani continues to struggle?

In last year's NLCS, which the Dodgers swept, Ohtani was a beast against the Brewers, earning Most Valuable Player honors after posting a head-shaking 1.643 OPS in 18 plate appearances. Add to that a Game 4 performance on the mound where he struck out 10 and didn't allow a run over 6.0 innings and it's easy to see Ohtani was a difference-maker against Milwaukee.

This postseason, the Dodgers will have a different kind of Ohtani when Game 1 opens on Sunday in Milwaukee. He won't be a factor on the mound as he has said he will be "focusing on hitting" after enduring issues with his right biceps and left knee. Those same issues are also keeping him from being 100 percent this postseason at the plate.

In the NLDS win over the Atlanta Braves, Ohtani hit just .154 and his two hits were both singles. He was also dropped to fifth in the batting order for the first time since 2020, although Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that was only because the Dodgers were facing southpaw Chris Sale.

Still, Los Angeles advanced to the NLCS even without Ohtani looking like Ohtani. The Dodgers have an All-Star lineup surrounding him so even if the four-time MVP is struggling, there may be room for Los Angeles to pick up the slack.

However, this Brewers pitching staff held the Dodgers to a combined .188 batting average during their seven regular-season meetings. After hitting just .203 in the NLDS, offense may be at a premium for Los Angeles in this round. Ohtani rediscovering his swing would be a big boost for the two-time defending champions.

All quotations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.