MILWAUKEE –– Here’s a look at how each Dodgers player performed in their 2-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series:
Mookie Betts: B
He managed a single in the third inning and drew a walk in the fifth. At the start of the game, Brice Turang denied him another potential hit, but overall, he had some solid at-bats from his leadoff position.
Freddie Freeman: C
Freeman started strong with a well-placed single off Jacob Misiorowski in the first. However, he also hit into a double play that ended the fifth inning just after Misiorowski left the game.
Will Smith: D
After struggling with a 1-for-16 showing in the NLDS, Smith ended the first inning by hitting into a double play and then weakly flew out twice afterward. He did manage to get on base with a walk in the eighth, yet it might be time for a change in his lineup position.
Shohei Ohtani: B
He picked up a walk on four pitches in his first at-bat and later added a single in the sixth, which was a positive sign. Still, he doesn’t quite seem like his usual self, but he’s reached base in all five postseason games so far.
Teoscar Hernández: B
Hernández represented the Dodgers’ strategy against Misiorowski with two singles early on but couldn’t make much impact against the relievers later in the game. He wasn’t alone in that issue, though.
Max Muncy: D
He had a single in the sixth but struck out twice and committed an error at third base that contributed to a bases-loaded situation in the fifth, leading to Tarik Skubal’s early exit.
Andy Pages: B
Pages opened the scoring with a single to right in the second inning. Unfortunately, he left runners stranded on base later in the sixth after swinging and missing at a 99 mph fastball from Abner Uribe.
Kyle Tucker: B
He showcased patience with a solid 10-pitch walk during the Dodgers’ rally in the second, and added another walk late in the ninth that momentarily delayed the loss. Still, he struck out twice in between those productive moments.
Kiké Hernández: D
He had a significant double play in the second with the bases loaded, ending his night at 0-for-3, and also had a few shaky plays at second base.
Josue De Paula: B+
When he pinch-hit in the ninth, he managed to draw a walk, showing that he can handle the pressure in October.
Tarik Skubal: C-
Skubal started off strong, striking out six of the first nine batters he faced. However, he allowed a home run to Brice Turang in the fourth after falling behind in the count and gave up a walk in the fifth, which led to a Brewer rally. This marked the first time in his playoff career that he didn’t finish six innings.
Alex Vesia: B+
Although he walked the leadoff batter in the sixth, he quickly picked him off and struck out the next two hitters, showing resilience.
Evan Phillips: B+
He struck out the side in the seventh during his first full inning of work this postseason. He came back for the eighth but was quickly subbed out after giving up a leadoff single. Nonetheless, he has looked quite sharp this October.
Tanner Scott: A
Scott successfully navigated an eighth-inning challenge by getting a couple of left-handed batters out, even after Dave Roberts strategically walked two right-handers to set up a potentially messy situation.
Dave Roberts: B
Roberts had his offense playing the right way, and his bullpen decisions seemed well-timed. However, he couldn’t do much about the missed opportunities his team had on offense.
