The Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers will meet in the National League Championship Series for the second consecutive season, with William Contreras standing as one of Milwaukee’s most important weapons entering the series.

The Brewers were MLB’s best team during the regular season, and they looked the part during their first postseason series this year.

After earning an MLB-best 103 victories, Milwaukee eliminated the San Diego Padres with a 3-1 road win Wednesday night, concluding an entertaining and tightly contested National League Division Series in four games.

Each of the first three games was decided by one run, with the home team winning every matchup. That pattern changed Wednesday when Milwaukee ended its 12-game postseason road losing streak.

Before Wednesday, the Brewers’ previous postseason road victory came in 2018, when they defeated Walker Buehler and the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium during Game 3 of the NLCS.

That connection became particularly ironic when Buehler started Wednesday’s game for San Diego.

The right-hander completed only three innings, allowing one run on three hits with two walks and no strikeouts. His performance was not poor enough for him to take the loss, but it also did not provide the Padres with meaningful early momentum.

That proved to be one of San Diego’s few encouraging developments. The Padres produced only three hits, with none coming after Fernando Tatis Jr.’s solo home run, and their offense could not match Contreras’ production.

Contreras went 2-for-5 Wednesday and finished the National League Division Series 6-for-16 (.375) with two home runs, two RBIs and a 1.194 OPS in four games.

During the regular season, Contreras hit .270 with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs and a .758 OPS in 147 games. He also went 7-for-23 (.304) with two home runs, five RBIs and four runs scored in six games against the Dodgers.

Contreras gives Milwaukee far more than another dangerous hitter in the middle of the lineup. His presence behind the plate allows him to influence every inning through communication, preparation and his understanding of opposing hitters.

He must manage a pitching staff filled with different arsenals, personalities and roles. That responsibility becomes even more demanding during the postseason, when every pitching change and matchup carries additional weight.

Contreras also brings patience and controlled aggression to the plate. He can work through difficult counts without abandoning the power that makes him dangerous.

His familiarity with Los Angeles pitching should also help him develop a clear plan before each plate appearance. The Dodgers can adjust throughout the series, making Contreras’ ability to recognize changing approaches especially important.

Milwaukee needs its catcher to guide the pitching staff, control important moments and continue providing offensive pressure. Contreras has already demonstrated that he can carry all three responsibilities.