The Los Angeles Dodgers have a chance to show that the National League-leading Milwaukee Brewers are still not on the same level as them.
The Los Angeles Dodgers easily made it through their series against the Kansas City Royals, but that will not be the case with their upcoming opponent.
The Dodgers are set to host the Milwaukee Brewers, who currently have the best record in the National League, on Thursday to begin a four-game series that provides a potential preview for a matchup fans might witness again in October when the stakes are much higher.
Why this series matters
The good news for the Dodgers is that, despite a recent skid they have not endured in years, they have the upper hand over Milwaukee, and it has been that way for a while.
Los Angeles made quick work of Milwaukee via a sweep en route to securing the National League pennant last season and winning its second consecutive World Series title. When the two clubs had a rematch in May, the Dodgers took two of the three games.
For the Dodgers and the Brewers, the end goal is the same, but the motivations are different. The Dodgers are trying to become the first team in a generation to three-peat as World Series champions, and the Brewers are trying to capture their first in franchise history.
For Los Angeles to obtain another ring, there is a high chance it will have to go through Milwaukee in the playoffs, and this series is a better litmus test than the one in May.
Who starts on the mound?
The Dodgers will give the starting nod to 24-year-old right-hander Roki Sasaki, who in his second MLB season has a 5-5 record with a 4.54 ERA through 20 starts. Sasaki also has 106 strikeouts.
Sasaki has a chance to take advantage of a slump that plagued the Brewers in the sweep they just endured at the hands of the San Diego Padres. On Wednesday against San Diego, Milwaukee struck out 15 times, which provides more of an advantage for Sasaki.
Another advantage for the Dodgers is that their hitters will face rookie Shane Drohan, and he is coming off a rough start against the Minnesota Twins in which he allowed nine hits, six earned runs and four walks.
The Dodgers’ batting order is superior to Minnesota’s, which gives them a better chance to do damage against Drohan.
The Dodgers can use this series to demonstrate that the grip they have on the Brewers has not loosened. However, losing this series may raise questions about what can happen down the road. The implications are big, which will make it more fun to witness.
