MILWAUKEE — The defending world champion Dodgers showed there’s a big gulf between them and the Brewers. You can say it’s all about payroll, but whatever the cause, the Dodgers completed a four-game sweep of the Brewers in the National League Championship Series. The 5-1 L.A. victory over the Brewers in Game 4 Friday night at Dodger Stadium ended the Brewers’ season.
Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers was incredible. He put on a performance for the ages. Ohtani pitched into the 7th, shutting out the Brewers and striking out 10. Ohtani also blasted three home runs, off three different pitchers.
Maybe they just fell victim to outstanding Dodgers pitching, but the Brewers’ offense was a no-show during the entire series. They scored just one run in each of the four games.
Because of the difference in market sizes and payrolls, these franchises have to do things differently. The Dodgers can buy what they want.
Still, give them credit. They have to perform on the biggest stages.
The Brewers have to use their resourceful intelligence and farm system to build a consistent winner. They each do their thing well. It’s just that, at least for now, the Dodgers are built to win bigger. They have much more room for error.
This Brewers season was special. A franchise-record 97 wins. A division title. A playoff series win over the Cubs. Still, in the end, the Dodgers were too much. The quest for Milwaukee’s first World Series since 1982 continues.