The Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers are strategically altering their bullpens ahead of their highly anticipated NL Championship Series clash, with the Brewers prioritizing pitching length by swapping Nick Mears for Tobias Myers, and the Dodgers adding proven postseason performer Ben Casparius to their relief corps for the best-of-seven showdown.
As the curtain rises on the National League Championship Series, both the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers have made crucial bullpen adjustments, signaling their strategic intent for the intense best-of-seven format. The Brewers’ decision to replace veteran reliever Nick Mears with the versatile Tobias Myers, and the Dodgers’ move to bring back postseason hero Ben Casparius, underscore the razor-thin margins and meticulous planning that define playoff baseball.
Brewers Prioritize Pitching Length with Myers Addition
The Milwaukee Brewers announced a notable change, leaving right-hander Nick Mears off their NLCS roster despite his impressive 63 relief appearances during the regular season. Mears posted a 5-3 record with a 3.49 ERA this year and added 1 2/3 scoreless innings in the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs.
In his place, the Brewers have called up right-hander Tobias Myers, who was not on the NL Division Series roster. This move is a clear indication of Milwaukee’s need for more sustained pitching from its bullpen, especially given their starting pitching depth. Brewers manager Pat Murphy explained the rationale, stating, “Mears has been unbelievable for us this year. He’s been that get-out-of-a jam guy. But he’s really been most effective when used in small spurts.”
Murphy further elaborated on the team’s pitching challenges for the seven-game series, highlighting the limited availability of starters. “We’re in a seven-game series and we basically have one and a half starters available or maybe a total of two starters available as far as length and where they are right now in the season. So with that, we’ve got to look for more length.” Myers, with his experience as a starter (31 starts in 49 career appearances), offers the flexibility to provide longer relief stints, a critical asset in a grueling series. For more details on the NLCS matchups, check out the Associated Press.
Myers’ Background and Impact Potential
Tobias Myers‘ inclusion is particularly interesting considering his recent history. In 22 appearances this season, including six starts, he went 1-2 with a 3.55 ERA. His 2024 rookie season was even more impactful, as he recorded a 9-6 record with a 3.00 ERA over 27 appearances, 25 of which were starts. He also demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure by allowing just two hits over five shutout innings in Game 3 of the Brewers’ NL Wild Card Series loss last season.
This history suggests Myers is not only capable of traditional relief but can also serve as a multi-inning option, or even an “opener” as Aaron Ashby is slated to do in Game 1 against the Dodgers’ announced starter, Blake Snell. This strategic flexibility could prove vital for the Brewers as they navigate their pitching staff through the series.
Dodgers Bolster Bullpen with Casparius, Drop Catcher Rushing
The Los Angeles Dodgers have also fine-tuned their bullpen for the NLCS. They’ve added right-hander Ben Casparius, bringing their pitcher count up by one. To accommodate this, catcher Dalton Rushing, who was one of three catchers on their NLDS roster and struck out in his lone at-bat, was left off. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that Casparius was included to “provide more bullpen options in the best-of-7 format.”
Casparius, who went 7-5 with a 4.64 ERA in 46 appearances this season, has a strong postseason pedigree. Last year, he posted an impressive 1.42 ERA across 6 1/3 postseason innings, including 4 1/3 scoreless innings in the NLCS, contributing significantly to the Dodgers’ World Series title run. His experience in high-leverage situations could be a major asset for Los Angeles.
The Dodgers’ NLCS bullpen will also feature left-hander Justin Wrobleski, who was added to the NLDS roster after Tanner Scott underwent a surgical procedure for an abscess. Scott, if the Dodgers advance, would be eligible to return for the World Series, further emphasizing the depth and contingency planning for Los Angeles.
Injuries and Absences: Woodruff Continues Recovery
Beyond the active roster adjustments, both teams continue to deal with key absences. For the Brewers, two-time All-Star pitcher Brandon Woodruff remains off the roster as he continues his recovery from a right lat strain. Woodruff’s absence has been a significant blow to Milwaukee’s rotation throughout the latter part of the season, and his return would be a game-changer if the Brewers advance. For more on Woodruff’s injury, see this Associated Press report.
These calculated roster moves highlight the strategic chess match that defines playoff baseball. Both the Brewers and Dodgers are making precise adjustments, hoping their bullpen configurations will give them the edge in what promises to be a thrilling NLCS.
