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MLB Playoffs: 2018 NLDS Series Preview Brewers vs Rockies

By Max Neibaur

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 18: The 1998 World Series trophy is seen during a ceremony prior to a game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on August 18, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Blue Jays 11-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 18: The 1998 World Series trophy is seen during a ceremony prior to a game between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on August 18, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees defeated the Blue Jays 11-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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MLB playoffs
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 08: Christian Yellich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers is hugged by teammate Orlando Arrcia # (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

2018 MLB Playoffs: Brewers Position Players Very Similar But Deeper Than Rockies Heading Into NLDS Matchup

Final 25-man MLB Playoffs rosters were not set as of the writing of this article, but the idea that it even matters shows how deep these teams can play.

The Brewers, in particular, might have tough decisions when it comes to keeping red-hot pinch hitter Domingo Santana, veteran presence Curtis Granderson, left-handed power hitter Eric Thames, and utility man Tyler Saladino while maintaining their deep bullpen.

Two of those players will probably not make the team.

On paper, a quick compare and contrast between the 2018 Playoffs teams from Denver and Milwaukee look most similar.

Milwaukee rosters the likely MVP of the National League, Yelich. The Rockies have arguably the best player in the National League in third baseman Nolan Arenando. Yelich almost won the NL Triple Crown in 2018 and would have been the first player since 1937.

To place that in context, 1937 was Joe DiMaggio’s second year in baseball, it was the year Amilia Earhart disappeared over the Atlantic, and actors Jack Nicolson, Dustin Hoffman, and Morgan Freeman were just being born.

While Yelich won the batting title, Arenando led the NL in home runs and continued to play Gold Glove defense at third base.

The Rockies have Charlie Blackmon leading off. He had a down 2018, but raised his OPS to over 1.000 when it mattered most during a September battle with the Dodgers for a NL West title.

Trevor Story might win 2018 NL Comeback Player of the Year. He picked up for any lost numbers from Blackmon’s off-year. Story did, however, deal with some elbow discomfort in September.

For Milwaukee, Lorenzo Cain dealt with a tight side in September. Like Story, he appears to be okay. Cain, unlike Blackmon, has had a great year as the Brewers leadoff hitter. Cain’s good offense was expected, however.

Jesus Aguilar is the Brewer who comes into the 2018 Playoffs with a better statistical season than expected like Story did for the Rockies. Aguilar raised his WAR total from 1.2 to 3.2 from 2017 to 2018. He took over as the Brewers starting first baseman this season and doubled his RBI total to over 100 in 2018.

The Brewers and Rockies also have resurgent veterans. Milwaukee’s 10-year veteran  Ryan Braun had an OPS of .599 in July, but pumped that up to .963 in September by raising his launch angle. Colorado picked up 14-year veteran Matt Holliday in August. Holliday has more home runs in Milwaukee’s Miller Park than any opposition’s home in his career with 17.

The Rockies also have Gold Glove outfielder Gerado Parra to compare to the Brewers slick fielding shortstop Orlando Arcia, and hot-hitting David Dahl plus veteran Carlos Gonzalez to matchup with Brewers offense threats Mike Moustakas and Travis Shaw.

While Colorado will go with batting average ace DJ LeMahieu at second base, the Brewers have power hitting Jonathan Schoop at second base or shortstop.

The deep bench is where the Brewers might have an upper hand. Players such as Santana, Granderson, Thames and Hernan Perez give them extra depth.

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