nypost
When the Milwaukee Brewers open the National League Championship Series on Sunday, Christian Yelich will not be in the starting lineup. The decision to sit the former MVP was made to gain a platoon advantage against Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tarik Skubal, according to the team.
Yelich, who serves as Milwaukee's designated hitter and was recently named team captain, remains available to come off the bench as a pinch-hitter. Manager Pat Murphy explained the move to reporters before the game, emphasizing that the choice was made with the team's best interests in mind.
"It's about our team and what's best for our team today," Murphy said. "It might not be the whole game, but it's what's best for our team today. You look at matchups, history, how a guy pitches a guy."
The Dodgers have been a recurring postseason opponent for the Brewers. Over the last nine postseasons, the two clubs have met four times, with Los Angeles winning each series. Milwaukee is hopeful that this October will bring a different outcome.
Yelich, a native of Southern California, attended Westlake High School in Thousand Oaks and graduated in 2010. He played varsity baseball all four years and put up impressive numbers his senior year, batting .451 with 37 hits, 25 RBIs, and nine home runs. Although he had committed to play college baseball at UCLA, Yelich was selected in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Florida Marlins.
Most of Yelich's MLB career has been spent with the Brewers, where he earned all three of his All-Star selections and the 2018 National League MVP award. Now, the veteran is aiming for his first World Series title, and the Dodgers are the only team standing in his way.
Key Analysis
The decision to bench Yelich for Game 1 underscores the Brewers' strategic focus on matchups. While Yelich's presence in the lineup is typically a boost, the team is prioritizing a favorable platoon situation against Skubal. With Yelich available as a pinch-hitter, Milwaukee retains a potent weapon for later innings. The move also highlights the ongoing postseason rivalry between the Brewers and Dodgers, as Milwaukee seeks to reverse its recent playoff fortunes against Los Angeles.
Originally reported by nypost.