Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers are wrapping up their season series this weekend with a four-game set at Dodger Stadium. It is the second time the two teams have faced off this year, with the Dodgers previously taking two of three in Milwaukee back in May.
It is an important series not only for the race in the National League for the No. 1 seed but also as a potential preview of another NL Championship Series matchup.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the importance of the four games but also noted there’s a larger perspective.
“I think it’s a big one. Obviously a team that we’re chasing, but it’s not the end all, be all, regardless of how this series plays out,” he said. “But it’s something we’ve looked forward to. It’s a really good team over there and I’m sure they’ve got a sour taste in their mouth, so it’s going to be a fun series.”
After bouncing back with a series sweep against the Kansas City Royals, the Dodgers entered Tuesday tied with the Atlanta Braves for the No. 2 seed and one game back of the Brewers for the top seed in the NL.
The Dodgers appeared poised to pull even with the Brewers but Edwin Díaz blew his fourth save of the season and third since returning from the injured list. Aside from immediate implications in the standings there also is a head-to-head tiebreaker up for grabs.
Taking at least two games also would give the Dodgers an edge the season series, which could come in handy in the event they finished tied with the Brewers at the end of the season.
Roberts plans to continue managing more aggressively, both because of the heightened importance of facing Milwaukee but also amid a desire of wanting the Dodgers to play with more urgency following a poor string of results from the last two weeks.
“I think the last series I managed a little more aggressively, and I’ll continue in this series as well and through the rest of the season,” he said.
Brewers vs. Dodgers pitching probables
The Dodgers and Brewers went into their four-game series neck and neck in starting staff ERA, ranking among the five best rotations in baseball.
Friday: Robert Gasser vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Saturday: Jacob Misiorowski vs. Justin Wrobleski
Sunday: Logan Henderson vs. Tarik Skubal
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