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MILWAUKEE — In a tightly contested National League Championship Series opener, the Los Angeles Dodgers dropped a 2-1 decision to the Milwaukee Brewers. Here is an assessment of each Dodgers player's performance in Game 1.
Mookie Betts: B Betts contributed a single in the third inning, drew a walk in the fifth, and was robbed of a potential hit by Brice Turang to start the game. Overall, he delivered a series of quality at-bats from the leadoff spot.
Freddie Freeman: C Freeman laced a characteristic opposite-field single off Jacob Misiorowski in the first inning, but also grounded into a double play that ended the fifth, just four pitches after Misiorowski exited.
Will Smith: D Following a dismal 1-for-16 showing in the NLDS, Smith grounded into an inning-ending double play in the first and then weakly flied out in his next two plate appearances. He did draw a walk in the eighth, but a drop in the batting order might be warranted.
Shohei Ohtani: B Ohtani worked a four-pitch walk in his first at-bat and later sliced a looping single the other way in the sixth. He still doesn't appear to be at his best, yet he has reached base safely in all five postseason games.
Teoscar Hernández: B Hernández embodied the Dodgers' approach against Misiorowski with a pair of opposite-field singles early on. However, he was quiet against a couple of relievers—though he was hardly alone in that regard.
Max Muncy: D Muncy singled in the sixth but also struck out twice. Additionally, he booted a grounder at third base that contributed to a bases-loaded jam in the fifth, ultimately leading to Tarik Skubal's early exit.
Andy Pages: B Pages drove in the game's first run with an opposite-field single in the second. But he stranded runners on the corners in the sixth by swinging through a 99 mph fastball from Abner Uribe.
Kyle Tucker: B Tucker worked an impressive 10-pitch walk during the Dodgers' second-inning rally and drew another free pass that briefly delayed defeat with two outs in the ninth. However, he struck out twice in between.
Kiké Hernández: D Hernández hit into the first and most costly double play of the night with the bases loaded in the second. He finished 0-for-3 and had some shaky moments at second base.
Josue De Paula: B+ De Paula came off the bench for a pinch-hit at-bat in the ninth and drew a walk. Once again, the October moment wasn't too big for him.
Tarik Skubal: C- Skubal was dominant early, striking out six of the first nine batters (including three on three pitches). But he surrendered a home run to Brice Turang after falling behind in the count in the fourth. He then paid for a leadoff walk in the fifth, which allowed the Brewers to execute some #BrewerBall (sac bunt, RBI single). It marked the first time in his playoff career that he failed to complete six innings.
Alex Vesia: B+ Vesia walked the leadoff man in the sixth but recovered by picking him off and striking out the next two batters.
Evan Phillips: B+ Phillips struck out the side in the seventh in his first full inning of work this postseason. He returned for the eighth but was quickly replaced after a leadoff single. Still, he has looked sharp so far this October.
Tanner Scott: A Scott escaped an eighth-inning jam by retiring a couple of lefties (amid Dave Roberts intentionally walking two righties to risk a bases-loaded jam).
Dave Roberts: B Roberts' offense had the right approach, and he pressed the right buttons with his bullpen. But there was nothing he could do about the offense's missed chances.
Originally reported by yahoo.