Dodgers Player Grades After Game 1 NLCS Loss to Brewers
Tarik Skubal's early exit and offensive struggles contributed to the Dodgers' 2-1 defeat against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series.
The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the National League Championship Series with a narrow 2-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1, marked by a premature exit from starting pitcher Tarik Skubal and offensive struggles throughout the lineup.
Skubal, who had been dominant early, allowed a home run in the fourth inning and walked a batter in the fifth, leading to the Brewers' go-ahead run. This marked the first time in his playoff career that Skubal did not complete six innings.
Offensively, the Dodgers' performance was mixed. Mookie Betts earned a B for consistent at-bats, including a single and a walk. Freddie Freeman received a C, with a single but also hitting into a double play. Will Smith struggled, earning a D after hitting into an inning-ending double play and weakly flying out in his subsequent at-bats, prompting consideration for moving him down in the lineup.
Shohei Ohtani, graded a B, reached safely in his postseason games thus far with a walk and a single, though he has not appeared to be at his best. Teoscar Hernández also received a B for his early singles against Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski, but could not produce against the bullpen. Max Muncy's performance was a D, with a single but two strikeouts, and a crucial error at third base that contributed to a bases-loaded jam.
Andy Pages received a B for driving in the Dodgers' lone run with a second-inning single, but left runners stranded later. Kyle Tucker earned a B for working two walks, though he also struck out twice. Kiké Hernández struggled, getting a D after hitting into a costly bases-loaded double play and going 0-for-3, with some defensive miscues.
Josue De Paula, coming off the bench, earned a B+ for drawing a crucial walk in the ninth inning.
On the pitching side, Alex Vesia received a B+ for recovering after walking a leadoff batter in the sixth, picking him off and striking out the next two. Evan Phillips also earned a B+ for striking out the side in the seventh and showing sharpness in his limited work. Tanner Scott received an A for escaping an eighth-inning jam by retiring two left-handed batters.
Manager Dave Roberts received a B, with his bullpen management being effective, but acknowledging the offensive missed opportunities.
