The Los Angeles Dodgers played their worst game of the postseason in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series, so they now look to bounce back against the Milwaukee Brewers and even the series at two apiece in Game 4 on Tuesday night.
Rich Hill gets the start for the Dodgers, his second of the postseason. He tossed 4.1 innings in Game 4 of the NL Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out five without walking anyone.
In 25 games (24 starts) during the 2018 season, Hill went 11-5 with a 3.66 ERA, 3.97 FIP and 1.12 WHIP while striking out 150 and walking 41 in 132.2 innings.
Hill faced the Brewers twice in 2018 and had a lot of success, giving up 11 hits and three runs (two earned) in 12 innings with 13 strikeouts and five walks. He earned one win and a no-decision in those two starts.
Despite the success he has against them, Hill still has a ton of respect for the Brewers and everything they have accomplished this season. “Well, I mean I think when you look at a team like the Brewers you have to have great respect for what they’ve accomplished throughout the year,” he said.
“They were one of the highly-touted teams in the beginning of the season, and they lived up to that throughout the season, beating a great Cubs team. And being able to win the NL Central is huge.”
The Dodgers have been able to keep likely NL MVP Christian Yelich relatively in check this series as he is hitting .182/.357/.182 without an extra-base hit through the first three games. Hill is hoping to keep that going, but he knows it will not be easy.
“Obviously, he’s had a tremendous year. He’s an unbelievable talent. And I have a huge amount of respect for Christian and what he’s been able to accomplish, especially going to Milwaukee,” Hill said. “So it’s been a catalyst for the team. He’s been somebody that they look to provide the old adage: Keep the line moving.”
Opposing Hill is left-hander Gio Gonzalez, who will be pitching on three days of rest after starting Game 1. Gonzalez only pitched two innings in that game though, allowing a solo home run to Manny Machado, so more of the same can be expected in this game.
The Brewers acquired Gonzalez from the Washington Nationals before the waiver trade deadline, and in five starts with them, he went 3-0 with a 2.13 ERA and 0.95 WHIP.
In 27 starts between the two teams, the 33-year-old posted a 10-11 record to go along with a 4.21 ERA, 4.16 FIP and 1.44 WHIP while striking out 148 and walking 80 in 171 innings.
The Brewers’ bullpen is relatively well-rested as Josh Hader only threw eight pitches in Game 3, Brandon Woodruff has not pitched since Game 1 and Corbin Burnes has not pitched since Game 2, so those are the arms that could be a factor on Tuesday night.
Manny Machado has swung the bat well for the Dodgers in the NLCS. He is 5-for-11 (.455 batting average) with a home run and three RBI. The rest of the team’s bats need to get going if Los Angeles wants to even the series though.
Brewers shortstop Orlando Arcia has also led the way for his team offensively. He has three home runs in six games this postseason after going deep just three times in 119 regular-season games.
Dodgers lineup:
LF: Chris Taylor
3B: Justin Turner
1B: David Freese
SS: Manny Machado
2B: Brian Dozier
CF: Kiké Hernandez
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: Austin Barnes
P: Rich Hill
Brewers lineup:
CF: Lorenzo Cain
RF: Christian Yelich
LF: Ryan Braun
1B: Jesús Aguilar
3B: Mike Moustakas
2B: Jonathan Schoop
C: Manny Pina
SS: Orlando Arcia
P: Gio Gonzalez
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