The Brewers' starting rotation has been something of a juggling act throughout their remarkable season, and Craig Counsell apparently sees no reason to change that.
The team announced Thursday it will start veteran left-hander Gio Gonzalez against Clayton Kershaw in Friday's NLCS Game 1 against the Dodgers, and follow him up with another lefty, Wade Miley, in Game 2. Ace Jhoulys Chacin will wait until Game 3 on Monday to take the ball.
.@GioGonzalez47 will start Game 1 of the #NLCS against the Dodgers tomorrow night. #OurCrewOurOctober pic.twitter.com/CHYXw31Pzf
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) October 11, 2018
As a team, the Dodgers hit .240 with a .733 OPS against left-handers during the regular season, compared to .255 and .796 against right-handers. Joc Pederson posted a .512 OPS vs. lefties, while Yasiel Puig (.628) and Cody Bellinger (.681) weren't spectacular, either. Then again, Jacob Turner hit .336 with a 1.028 OPS off lefties and Matt Kemp hit 11 of his 21 homers off southpaws.
Gonzalez made six postseason starts during his time with the Nationals, with mixed results, but he pitched five shutout innings against the Tigers his last time out Sept. 30, setting the Brewers up for the one-game NL Central playoff against the Cubs.
Gio Gonzalez will be making his first appearance in 12 days. He did not face the Dodgers this season. Miley did, and pitched 13 innings without giving up an earned run.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 11, 2018
Given the Brewers' willingness to lean heavily on their bullpen at any point, Gonzalez figures to have a short leash against Kershaw, even in Game 1 of a long series.
