Whitney: Garrett Mitchell went yard in the sixth, the bullpen slammed the door shut, and suddenly it’s Fall Classic time for Milwaukee. This is Beatline, America’s number one daily sports podcast network, and we are live from the heart of Wisconsin.
Terry: We did it. We finally got there. First trip to the World Series since 1982. The Brewers have survived the Dodgers, they have survived the injuries, and they are ready to play for the title.
Whitney: Tonight on the show: we break down that Game Four win over Los Angeles, look at the pitching staff that kept L.A. off the board late, and preview what happens next when the Rays or Guardians come to town.
Terry: And yes, we are going to address the elephant in the room regarding the rotation depth and how this team managed to overcome a roster decimated by injuries to get to this point.
Whitney: Let’s get into it. Terry, you predicted the Dodgers would take this series in six games yesterday. I’m looking at your face, and I know you’re not happy about being wrong.
Terry: I’m not unhappy, Whitney. I’m respectful of the outcome. But let’s be clear: the Dodgers were not ready for the physicality Milwaukee brought. They wanted it bad, as Stephen A. Smith said, and L.A. just couldn’t match that intensity.
Whitney: That intensity was on full display in Game Four. A 6-4 victory to sweep the series. Let’s talk about the final score and how we actually got here.
Whitney: So, Game Four. Brewers at Dodger Stadium. Final score: Milwaukee 6, Los Angeles 4. It wasn’t pretty early on, but it was clutch. Garrett Mitchell hit that go-ahead homer off Tanner Scott in the sixth inning. That was the swing of the series.
Terry: It was huge. And honestly, it was necessary. You look at the box score, and you see that the Dodgers had some life in the later innings. But Milwaukee’s bullpen slammed the door. That’s what we talked about last week—managing the bullpen effectively would be key.
Whitney: Right. And considering the injury report, managing that bullpen wasn’t just a strategy; it was a necessity. We’ve got guys like Will Klein, Gavin Stone, Jake Cousins, Ben Casparius, Brusdar Graterol, Grant Anderson, Brandon Woodruff, Quinn Priester, Angel Zerpa, and Brian Fitzpatrick all on the IL.
Terry: A massive list. Sixty-day IL spots for most of them. When you lose Brandon Woodruff and that depth, you can’t rely on your starters to go deep into every game. You have to trust the relievers.
Whitney: Exactly. And who stepped up? We’ve got Aaron Ashby, Shane Drohan, Robert Gasser, DL Hall, Kyle Harrison, Logan Henderson, Dustin May, Trevor Megill, Jacob Misiorowski, Chad Patrick, JoJo Romero, Antonio Senzatela, and Abner Uribe.
Terry: That’s a lot of arms. But the reality is, in Game Four, it came down to holding the lead. Once Mitchell homered, the job shifted to closing it out. The Dodgers scored four runs, which shows their offense is dangerous, but Milwaukee’s defense held firm when it mattered.
Whitney: Speaking of defense, remember Game Three against the Padres? Robert Gasser was strong, and Garrett Mitchell had that crucial triple and defensive catch. He’s been the guy all postseason.
Terry: He is. And tonight, he delivered again. A go-ahead homer against a reliever like Tanner Scott? That’s playoff experience. That’s Mr. October stuff. You don’t see that kind of clutch hitting often.
Whitney: It’s wild to think about. From splitting Games One and Two with Skubal and Yamamoto, to sweeping this series. The momentum has completely shifted. But before we get into the offense, let’s take a quick breath.
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Terry: Alright, let’s talk offense. Because that 6-4 score doesn’t tell the whole story of the lineup. Jackson Chourio was supposed to be the defining story of this series, right?
Whitney: You predicted it on the 10th! You said Chourio would be the defining story. Did he deliver?
Terry: He certainly was a factor. But tonight, it was Garrett Mitchell who carried the load offensively in the big moment. Chourio provides that threat, yes, but Mitchell’s ability to change the game with one swing is what separated these teams in Game Four.
Whitney: And the rest of the lineup? We’ve got William Contreras behind the plate, Gary Sanchez as another catcher option. In the infield, David Hamilton at third, Joey Ortiz and Cooper Pratt at short, Brice Turang at second, Andrew Vaughn and Jake Bauers at first.
Terry: That’s a balanced lineup. When you have Contreras and Sanchez, you get good defense and timely hitting. Turang and Hamilton provide speed and on-base skills. That small-ball tactic we mentioned earlier? It worked because the big hits backed it up.
Whitney: Christian Yelich at DH is also a key piece. His presence adds power and experience. And in the outfield, Sal Frelick and Luis Lara alongside Mitchell gives you depth.
Terry: Depth is everything when you’re dealing with so many injuries. If Mitchell hadn’t stepped up, maybe the Dodgers exploit those gaps. But Milwaukee’s players rose to the occasion. That’s what champions do.
Whitney: The champagne labels honoring former players is a nice touch too. Paying homage to history while making new history. It’s a special feeling in Milwaukee right now.
Terry: It is. And it validates all the hard work. From the regular season 103-59 record to this moment. They earned it.
Whitney: So, what’s next? The next game is listed as Rays or Guardians at Milwaukee Brewers on October 24th. So we’re waiting to see who wins the ALCS.
Terry: The Guardians are currently the favorites to reach the World Series in the AL. So if they beat the Rays, it’s Milwaukee vs. Cleveland. That would be a fantastic matchup.
Whitney: And the odds for the World Series are shifting. Brewers just won the NLCS. Guardians lead the ALCS. It’s wide open.
Terry: Wide open, but Milwaukee has momentum. They have the home-field advantage if they want it, though the World Series location is neutral. Still, playing in front of the fans feels different.
Whitney: The Bucks adjusted their home opener to avoid conflict with Game One of the World Series. Shows how big this is for the city. Everything revolves around baseball right now.
Terry: It’s a city united. And for the Brewers, it’s a chance to cap off an incredible year. From the injury-plagued roster to the NL Champions. It’s a fairy tale.
Whitney: We’ll be here every step of the way. Whether it’s the Guardians or the Rays, we’ll be reacting to every pitch. Stay tuned.
Terry: From a 6-4 sweep to a World Series berth. The Brewers are ready.
Whitney: Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Beatline wherever you listen. Share this episode with a fellow Brewer fan. Go Birds!