With their postseason hopes hanging in the balance, the Los Angeles Dodgers need their best performances from Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow if they hope to stay alive in the National League Championship Series.

The first concern is how both starters struggled during their NL Division Series matchups against the Atlanta Braves, particularly with their command.

Both pitchers had difficulty executing their pitches consistently, an issue that could become even more costly against the Milwaukee Brewers. However, with a fresh opportunity ahead of them, Snell and Glasnow have a chance to put those performances behind them and deliver two of the most important starts of the Dodgers’ postseason.

One of the biggest concerns surrounding Snell is his ability to execute his pitches effectively, an issue that also affected Glasnow in the NLDS.

The Dodgers are facing a Brewers team that has established itself as one of baseball’s best, combining small-ball offense with an ability to capitalize on mistakes. Milwaukee’s success in critical situations has been one of the biggest differences in the series.

Although the Brewers do not rely heavily on power hitting, they consistently put the ball in play and make opposing pitchers uncomfortable. That approach becomes particularly dangerous when they get baserunners on, as they can use their speed and aggressiveness on the basepaths to create additional scoring opportunities.

For the Dodgers to counter that approach, Snell and Glasnow will need to execute their pitches and limit the opportunities Milwaukee has to pressure the defense. Allowing baserunners through walks or losing command in crucial situations could make it difficult for Los Angeles to regain control of the game.

Another important factor is whether Snell and Glasnow can work deeper into their respective starts. Both pitchers have the ability to provide length, and their rest could put them in a position to deliver the kind of outings the Dodgers need.

However, getting through the later innings has been a challenge for some of the Dodgers’ starters early in the postseason. If Snell and Glasnow struggle to find their command again, Los Angeles could once more be forced to rely heavily on its bullpen before the game reaches its later stages.

That puts additional pressure on both starters to establish a rhythm early, limit free passes and prevent Milwaukee from building momentum. Against a team that has consistently taken advantage of its opportunities, even a few mistakes could have significant consequences.

Ultimately, the Dodgers have little margin for error as they look to change the course of the NLCS. Returning to Los Angeles gives them an opportunity to turn things around, but their postseason hopes could depend on whether Snell and Glasnow deliver when the team needs them most.

The biggest question heading back to Dodger Stadium is whether the two starters can overcome their earlier struggles and provide the performances necessary to keep the Dodgers’ season alive.