There are two problems with Counsell’s strategy: one is arm fatigue by the pen, but the other is that the Dodgers, a good hitting team, will become more familiar with each of the pitchers. They’ll start reading the pitches better in subsequent games. I don’t know if the Brew Crew has anyone who can just flat out baffle or blow the ball right by the Dodgers lineup.
Hader?
Counsell’s strategy made sense except for using Gio for only two innings. You go up 5-1, you go all in. You only need four wins. If your bullpen is ragged and the next game is close, you replace your starter with a long reliever or unused starter. I assume Hader won’t be available after three innings and 46 pitches, but everyone else should be with the off day to follow. The trickiest part will be the three consecutive games in L.A…
Didn’t the announcers say that Woodruff’s homer was the first lefty vs lefty dinger for a pitcher in postseason history?
Yes that’s what I remember too. They also said it went 406’ — not a cheap shot at all. And I love seeing Kershaw’s “WTF??!!” expression. I can look at that all day long.
And now I see in an article that “He’s one of just three relievers to hit a postseason homer in the last 94 years.”
Now I’m wondering if he could get used as a pinch hitter.
You only need four wins, but it’s game one. I could see it if we’re in game 6 and the Brewers are trying to get their third win or the clincher, but not in game one. It could be - most likely will be - a long series. I could even see bringing in Hader in the fifth or sixth, even with Gio pitching well, but I think Counsell was over-managing here.
I’ll concede, though: I ain’t the one who led them to the playoffs. He might know a thing or two I don’t. But the armchair expert in me disagrees with the strategy.
Why not? He could also be a low-risk decoy. It looks like if Shaw starts, Granderson is the only lefty off the bench. I hope it happens.
Too many errors on the catcher.
Obviously there was some lost confidence in his defense.
Enjoyed seeing pre-game predictions going down the tubes.
The unstoppable Kershaw and the impervious Brewers bullpen - nope.
Hope that reality continues to overturn “expert” analysis. 
Looks like my expert analysis is correct: Counsell is fucking blowing the NLCS for Milwaukee and if he doesn’t change tactics now, it’s over. His vaunted bullpen nearly cost the Brewers a win last night and absolutely cost them a win tonight. Nothing wrong with the Brewers pen, but the whole fucking point of a bullpen is that they relieve starters - when starters need to be relieved.
What I said up-thread is absolutely a danger now: the Dodgers have seen the Brewers bullpen. They’ve taken their best punch, and they go back to LA tied 1-1. Kershaw will start game 5 in all likelihood and he will make adjustments.
Astros look very strong.
Let’s go, Astros!!!
The series is tied. How, incidentally, does he avoid the home run by Turner? Turner hit it off Milwaukee’s best relief pitcher, in the eighth inning when you usually use relief pitchers. How do you manage that away?
Well, in the last any years; there have only been three. I found a list of all postseason homers by pitchers and it’s just three by relievers. I don’t recall the name of the first one.
Fun facts:
The only pitcher to do it twice is Bob Gibson.
Steve Carlton homered in the NLCS off Don Sutton, the only time in the playoffs a HOF pitcher homered off a HOF pitcher.
The first homer by a pitcher in the postseason was Jim Bagby in the 1920 World Series. In the same game, there was the first World Series grand slam (Elmer Smith) and an unassisted triple play by Bill Wambsganss.
One of my favorite player names ever. It makes it sound like there were three players involved.
Or like it’s an alias made up on the spot.
“What’s your name, son?”
“Bill… uhh… Wams… Wamsgnssssgnsss.”
Possibly a friend of Art Vandelay.
The NL don’t need no stinking’ DH.
I don’t think there would be any objections if the NL adopted the DH.
In my opinion, he already over-used Miley by bringing him early in game one. And if Miley’s the best reliever, maybe wait until the 9th inning to finish the game. Counsell has over-managed and he’s over-working his bullpen – that’s just my opinion. We won’t have proof of that until games 5, 6 and 7.
Counsell ain’t Tony LaRussa.
This is sarcasm, right? If anything, the AL needs to get rid of the DH and go back to playing baseball the way God intended.