Hey everyone. Huge Dodger fan here, and just wanted to drop by to wish you the best of luck in this series. I was pulling for the Brewers to win that game, b/c I think you guys match up a little better than us. Here are a few insights into our team, and some of my worries (I can probably speak for a majority of Dodger fans with these):
-Our bullpen has been just terrible this year. It got better in the second half of the season...but Kenley has had an off year, and Joe Kelly is really streaky (look at his ERA during the first few months of the season
). They Dodgers are probably going to use normal starters as bullpen guys (Urias, Dustin May, etc)
-Starting pitching and power hitting are the two main strengths of this Dodger team. Ryu has had the best year of his career...he lacks velocity, but has good command of his off speed pitches. Kershaw hasn't been himself, he's getting older and it's showing. That said, he's made major adjustments to his style of pitching...way less fastballs than he used to throw, and by most measurements, it's still been a good season for him. Buehler is incredibly talented and throws heat, but sometimes too over confident with his pitches. Rich Hill, older but probably the most predictable pitcher in this group--you know it'll be a solid but not great outing pretty much every time out.
On the offensive side, obviously, Belly is the standout. But his bat has quieted more and more as the year has progressed--this makes me a little nervous. Justin Turner is coming off a little injury and may be a little rusty. The sneaky guy to watch out for is Matt Beaty--he'll be used off the bench, but he is the best clutch hitter in our lineup.
I think the key to the series will be how long your starters stay in the game. If we can get them out in the 5th or 6th inning, then I think the odds really favor the Dodgers. But if your starters go deep, we may be in big trouble. I know a lot has been made about Corbin vs. the Dodgers, but I'm not sure that holds much weight. This team has changed a lot over the years, and the only starter in our lineup that has struggled against him over an extended period of time is Corey Seager. Seager and Turner are the only two starters with at least 20 at bats against him, and Turner is averaging .375 on him.
Anyway, those are my initial thoughts. I'll be around throughout the series if you guys will have me. I think it's fun interacting with other fans. Congrats on a heck of a game last night!