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Brewers are winning with the opposite of small ball

The Milwaukee Brewers are defying expectations in the 2023 National League Championship Series, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers three games to none after a humiliating sweep at their hands just one year ago. Despite ranking 29th in home runs during the regular season, the Brewers have outpaced the Dodgers in runs scored, leveraging a strategic approach that prioritizes walks, strikeouts, and strategic hitting over brute force.

Their lineup has thrived with a league-leading walk rate of 10.6% in the regular season, which has surged to 14.7% in the postseason, while also striking out more frequently than their opponents—31% of their plate appearances in the LCS have ended in a walk, strikeout, or home run, a rate unmatched by any team in postseason history. This modern, data-driven style, far removed from traditional 'small ball,' has allowed them to dominate a Dodgers team that boasts significant offensive firepower, including a franchise-record 103 wins this season and five of the last six NL Central titles.

The Brewers’ success isn’t solely reliant on their lineup, however. Their pitching has been equally dominant, but the team’s ability to exploit small advantages—such as hitting to the opposite field or pressing baserunners—has set them apart.

Their approach contrasts sharply with the Dodgers’ power-heavy style, proving that innovation and adaptability can overcome conventional expectations. With Game 4 on the line Thursday night, Milwaukee’s unconventional path to the World Series continues to captivate, offering a stark reminder that baseball’s most effective teams often aren’t the ones who simply hit the hardest.

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