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In the NLCS, the Dodgers are seeing what money can't buy: a bullpen like Milwaukee's

The Dodgers’ deep investment in their bullpen—$163 million over the past two seasons—has yet to translate into postseason success, as the Brewers’ far more modest relief corps dominates the NLCS. Milwaukee’s relievers have been untouchable in the first two games, combining for 9 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and three walks across both victories.

The Brewers’ bullpen, which led MLB with 48 wins and a 3.40 ERA during the regular season, has been even more dominant in the playoffs, surrendering only one earned run in 28 2/3 innings. Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ relievers have surrendered four runs on nine hits in 9 1/3 innings, with Brock Stewart taking the loss in Game 2 after a shaky performance.

The Brewers’ depth and execution—featuring relievers like Aaron Ashby, who has struck out three Dodgers in 3 2/3 innings while holding them to a single walk—have exposed the Dodgers’ bullpen struggles, despite their high salaries. The Brewers’ postseason run has also included a historic streak: every one of their five playoff wins has been earned by a reliever, a feat matched only once before in the divisional era.

The series now shifts to Dodger Stadium for Game 3, where the Brewers’ bullpen will look to maintain its momentum against a Dodgers team still searching for answers in their back end.

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