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Dodgers-Brewers NLCS position by position breakdown

The 2023 National League Championship Series will feature two historic 100-win teams—the Milwaukee Brewers (103 wins) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (100 wins)—in a rematch of last year’s series, which the Dodgers won in four games, including a dominant Game 4 performance by Shohei Ohtani. This year’s matchup carries added weight, as the Brewers seek redemption after a dismal offensive showing in their loss, managing just four runs and a .118 batting average in the decisive games.

While both teams return key players, their rosters have evolved significantly since last season, with positional strengths and weaknesses shifting dramatically. At catcher, Milwaukee’s Will Smith holds the edge in offensive track record, though his injury-shortened season and inconsistent 2023 performance (.125 batting average in the NLCS) raise questions.

Los Angeles’ William Contreras showed promise this year, but neither stands out defensively, and Milwaukee’s backup, Gary Sánchez, offers a more dangerous offensive option than Dodgers’ Hunter Feduccia. The first-base matchup pits future Hall of Famer Freddie Freeman against Jake Bauers, whose breakout 2023 season outpaced Freeman’s injury-plagued campaign.

Freeman’s defensive impact—particularly his elite ability to turn double plays—could prove decisive in a high-stakes series where small advantages often separate winners from losers.

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