Dodgers NLDS: Possible LA Opponent Brewers May Have Lost a Top Starting Pitcher

The Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks are getting set for their three-game Wild Card series this week. The winner of that matchup will take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS, with Games 1 and 2 coming in Los Angeles on October 7 and 9, respectively.

The favorite in the series — the Brewers — were dealt an unfortunate injury blow on Monday, as manager Craig Counsell said that starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff would be out for the Wild Card series with a right shoulder capsular injury, per Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Additionally, Counsell said “his availability for the postseason is up in the air at this point.”

This is an enormous blow for the Brewers, who had arguably the best playoff rotation in baseball with their three-headed monster of Woodruff, Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta.

Woodruff missed most of the season due to injury, but came back in August after hitting the IL in late April and was absolutely lights out.

On the year, Woodruff went 5-1 with a 2.28 ERA in 11 starts, including a complete game shutout against the playoff-bound Miami Marlins in mid-September.

However, he’ll unfortunately find himself on the sidelines for the Wild Card round, and what seems like the NLDS too, if the Brewers progress there.

The Brewers will now have to decide who they want their third starter to be for the postseason. If their series against Arizona goes three games, the Dodgers will get a good look at who their third option after Burnes and Peralta is.

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