The Milwaukee Brewers entered the 2018 MLB Playoffs on an eight-game winning streak and swept the Colorado Rockies out of the NLDS.
Manager Craig Counsell skillfully used the Brewers’ dominant bullpen to neutralize the impressive Rockies lineup. Most mlb.com and ESPN experts did have the Milwaukee Brewers beating the Rockies or Cubs in the NLDS to advance in the MLB playoffs.
Despite no dominant starting pitcher, Counsell has made pitching a strength for the Brewers.
"“Largely, we’re trying to get away from what the word ‘starter’ and ‘reliever’ means,” Counsell said about his plans to navigate the 2018 MLB Playoffs with his pitching staff, “We’re going to share outs a little more.”"
A great example of this strategy helped the Brewers in Game 1 of the NLDS.
NLDS Game 1: Milwaukee Brewers Overcome Rockies Best Effort
The media called much attention to the Rockies chaotic travel schedule leading up to Game 1 of the NLDS versus the Milwaukee Brewers, especially in Denver.
From @EliasSports: Last time team played 4 games in 4 cities against 4 different teams in 5 days was August 1922. Philadelphia Phillies
— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) October 4, 2018
Now #Rockies
But the Rockies put up a great fight in Game 1 of the NLDS. They showed great pride despite what could have been a tired group.
Counsell put his pitching strategy to work in Game 1 and everything went right early. Two young pitchers who spent 2018 up and down from the MLB and Minor League clubs “opened” that first game.
Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes gave the Milwaukee Brewers five innings of zero runs and one hit baseball.
Furthermore, the Brewers and fans watched Christian Yelich hit yet another home run in the third inning that placed momentum firmly in Milwaukee’s grasp.
The Rockies almost made a heart-pounding comeback when they knocked around Brewers Jeremy Jeffress in the ninth inning to force extra innings.
When Brewers fan-favorite Mike Moustakas ripped a game-winning shot to win the game in the tenth, it could have saved the entire series for Milwaukee.
Colorado’s offense looked like it was pressing. The first five hitters in its powerful lineup mustered only one hit against the Brewers on the day. Nolan Arenado, David Dahl, Trevor Story, and Carlos Gonzalez all struck out multiple times each.