NLDS 2018 review

The National League proposed to the divisional two clashes that on paper it was difficult to predict at the level of result but that on the field they gave a net and peremptory result. In the first of the two series Milwaukee prevailed over Colorado thanks to a stellar performance of its pitchers, especially that of the bullpen who did not give anything to their rivals in three games. The best and most fought race of the series was certainly the first where the Brewers had gone ahead 2-0 to be then reached on 2-2. With the race in the balance the guests also had the chance to take the lead but the hosts' bullpen managed to keep the draw result above all thanks to a lethal Josh Hader. During the low part of the tenth inning it was the former Royal Mike Moustakas who gave the victory to his team with a single walk-off that finally paved the way for the franchise in Wisconsin for the rest of the series. The other two matches unlike the first were a walk for the Brewers who have managed to not give a single point in the following two games thanks to an amazing performance of all the pitching stuff but also an attack able to produce four and six points respectively. As for the losers the disappointing performances of Arenado, Story and Blackmon in the first place have cost the franchise series of Colorado. The Rockies knew they had to score a good number of points in order to win, especially against the Brewers' starters but that was not the case, both the power and the contact were canceled by the other party. As far as the pitcher park is concerned, in my opinion he behaved well, counting above all that he faced one of the strongest MLB attacks with a hot Christian Yelich, who alone could put in trouble an entire pitching stuff.

The Brewers have confirmed themselves as the hottest team of the moment not only thanks to their offensive performances and with a solid bullpen but amazing all with a rotation of starting pitchers able to zero in three races one of the most explosive attacks of the league, all in ballpark more suited to hitters than to pitchers. The lineup is very deep and is well suited to all kinds of matchups boasting a mix of left and right handed that only the Dodgers have in the National League.

The other series saw the Dodgers prevail on the Braves for 3-1, in the two initial games in California despite a hot weather the pitchers were the masters. In the first race Ryu and in the second Kershaw have left the Braves attack at zero points, which in my opinion has suffered the impact and the tension of the postseason given the many young people present in the lineup. The two races in Atlanta unlike the first two were more fought and race three if they won the hosts thanks to a second inning by five points where Wood literally lost control of his fastball giving the game to his rivals. Race four was decided by his Machado Freese who combined scored all six points of Los Angeles confirming clutch hitters in key situations, especially the former Cardinals who brought home the two winning RBI games with a single pinch hit in the sixth inning. The Californians are one of the strongest and most complete teams of the last few years and if their key players like Kershaw, Turner and Machado continue to hold back at this level they will be tough rivals for anyone on the way to the World Series. The Braves have in my opinion made a good figure and this should be seen as the beginning of the journey that will bring up the franchise of Georgia given the high number of young talent who still lacks the maturity to be able to aim for the title.