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Shaikin: Here's why the Dodgers-Brewers NLCS might have been decided in August

The Dodgers’ acquisition of Tarik Skubal in early August may have already decided the NLCS before it even began. The Brewers, who had shown strong interest in Skubal during the trade deadline, ultimately declined to include rookie pitcher Logan Henderson in the deal—a move that could backfire as Skubal is set to face Milwaukee in Game 1 of the series.

The Brewers’ rotation, already anchored by Cy Young frontrunner Jacob Misiorowski, now faces the prospect of Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto combining for four starts if the Dodgers win the series. Yamamoto, widely regarded as the world’s best big-game pitcher, would have been a key asset in an alternate scenario, while Henderson—who posted a 2.47 ERA this season—could pose a tougher challenge than expected if called upon early.

The Brewers’ decision to prioritize long-term development over short-term impact may now leave them vulnerable to a deeper rotation from Los Angeles, including Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, both of whom struggled in their last postseason starts. With the Brewers entering the series as the NL’s back-to-back regular-season champions, their failure to secure Skubal could prove costly in a high-stakes matchup against a Dodgers team primed for another deep run.

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