The Dodgers made one tweak to their pitching mix ahead of NLCS Game 1, and it came at the expense of a roster spot for one of their fastest players.
Los Angeles added left-hander Justin Wrobleski to its 26-man group for the series against the Milwaukee Brewers, giving the bullpen a little more coverage. To make it work, the Dodgers left Hyeseong Kim off the roster. Miguel Rojas, who had been dealing with lower back pain, is on the roster after feeling better following his workouts and travel to Milwaukee.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, is rolling with the same roster it used to get through the San Diego Padres. The Brewers are carrying 13 pitchers and 13 position players into the best-of-seven matchup, keeping the group intact after several days off following their NLDS win. That means Shane Drohan, Kyle Harrison and Chad Patrick remain available as fresh arms since none of them pitched in the previous round.
The Dodgers’ roster features 13 pitchers as well. Their pitching group includes left-handers Kris Bubic, Tanner Scott, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, Alex Vesia and Wrobleski, along with right-handers Edwin Díaz, Tyler Glasnow, Edgardo Henriquez, Evan Phillips, Roki Sasaki, Brock Stewart and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Their position-player group includes catchers Hunter Feduccia and Will Smith; infielders Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Rojas; outfielders Josue De Paula, Teoscar Hernández, Andy Pages and Kyle Tucker; utility players Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández; and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani.
The Brewers enter the series looking to lean on that depth and the comfort of home after being swept by the Dodgers in last year’s NLCS. Los Angeles is trying to keep its championship push moving and get back to the World Series. With the rosters set, the stage is ready in Milwaukee.
In Other News...
Brewers Get An Early Miguel Rojas Read Before NLCS Opener
Miguel Rojas gave the Dodgers a meaningful early sign as they approached the National League Championship Series, getting back on the field for batting practice and ground balls after the back injury that forced him out of the NLDS. Dave Roberts said the issue is not expected to keep the infielder out of the next round, which matters for a Los Angeles team still fine-tuning its roster before opening the series against Milwaukee.
The Dodgers plan to keep evaluating Rojas before the NLCS opener, so the final call is still ahead even if the early indicators are encouraging. Roster construction is part of the equation too, with Los Angeles leaning toward carrying a 13th pitcher and likely trimming a position player, another small but relevant detail as the Brewers prepare to see which version of the Dodgers theyll be facing. [Read more 🡒]
Brewers NLCS Roster Leaves One High-Stakes Pitching Twist To Watch
With the National League Championship Series set to open against the Dodgers, the Brewers have turned in a roster that reflects both their usual balance and the urgency of October. Milwaukee is carrying the expected mix of infielders, outfielders, catchers and pitchers, and the club enters the series with a bullpen that has had several days to reset. That gives the Brewers a little more flexibility than they might normally have this time of year, especially when it comes to deciding how to handle middle relief in the most important spots.
The most interesting wrinkle now is how Milwaukee lines up its pitching after the initial wave of the series. The Brewers have already mapped out their starting plan for the first three games, but the way they use the rest of the staff could shape the tone of the matchup just as much as the names on the lineup card. Against a Dodgers club that can force managers to make decisions early, every lever matters, and the Brewers still have at least one high-stakes pitching choice hanging over the series. [Read more 🡒]
Brandon Woodruff Just Created A Brewers Roster Dilemma For October
Brandon Woodruff took a notable step in his comeback from a right shoulder injury this week, getting back on a mound for the first time as he works toward a possible late-October return. For a Brewers club with bigger immediate concerns, it still matters because Woodruff is trying to build himself back into a relief option if Milwaukee keeps advancing, and every bullpen session from here carries a little more weight than usual.
The next stretch will help determine how realistic that path is, with more mound work ahead and a possible live batting practice session if his arm responds well. It has been a good October for Brewers storylines off the field too, with Pratt even getting rewarded by Coca-Cola after his NL Division Series celebration with Fanta, but Woodruff's recovery is the one that could actually reshape the roster if the Brewers need another arm in the months ahead. [Read more 🡒]