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From Houston Mitchell: Let’s take a look at how the Dodgers and Brewers compare this season, through Tuesday. Runs per game Dodgers, 5.02 (third in the majors) Milwaukee, 4.91 (fifth) Batting average Dodgers, .261 (first) Milwaukee, .252 (sixth) On-base percentage Dodgers, .338 (second) Milwaukee, .336 (third) Slugging percentage Dodgers, .428 (second) Milwaukee, .396 (19th) Doubles Milwaukee, 214 (third) Dodgers, 198 (ninth) Triples Milwaukee, 20 (seventh) Dodgers, 12 (18th) Home runs Dodgers, 152 (seventh) Milwaukee, 110 (30th) As you can see, the Dodgers have more power than the Brewers, but Milwaukee makes up for it some in the next two categories. Stolen bases Milwaukee, 118 (fifth) Dodgers, 46 (28th) Sacrifice bunts Milwaukee, 29 (second) Dodgers, 12 (22nd) ERA Milwaukee, 3.54 (fourth) Dodgers, 3.72 (seventh) Rotation ERA Dodgers, 3.54 (fourth) Milwaukee, 3.56 (fifth) Bullpen ERA Milwaukee, 3.51 (fourth) Dodgers, 4.02 (16th) Pitcher strikeouts Milwaukee, 1,169 (second) Dodgers, 1,073 (eighth) Pitcher walks Dodgers, 373 (10th fewest) Milwaukee, 376 (11th) Home runs allowed Milwaukee, 123 (seventh fewest) Dodgers, 143 (20th) Saves Milwaukee, 38 (third) Dodgers, 32 (14th) Blown saves Dodgers, 16 (T15th) Milwaukee, 15 (T19th) Inherited runners who scored% Dodgers, 35.5%, 49 of 138 (23rd) Milwaukee, 41.9%, 54 of 129 (28th) The two teams are pretty evenly matched. The big difference between the two is the Brewers just can’t seem to breakthrough in the postseason. They have made it in seven of the last eight seasons, but reached the NLCS only twice, losing both times to a very familiar team. Let’s look: 2018: Lost in NLCS to Dodgers, 4-3 2019: Lost NL wild-card game to Washington 2020: Lost in NL wild-card series to Dodgers, 2-0 2021: Lost in NLDS to Atlanta, 3-1 2022: Did not make postseason, finished with 86-76 record 2023: Lost in NL wild-card series to Arizona, 2-0 2024: Lost in NL wild-card series to New York, 2-1 2025: Lost in NLCS to Dodgers, 4-0 This is why it was such a surprise they didn’t do more to acquire Tarik Skubal. That would have given them a devastating 1-2 punch in Skubal and NL Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski. Instead, they acquired former Dodger Dustin May. Keep in mind, it is not imperative to finish in the top two. The Dodgers had to play in the first round last season and that worked out OK. In fact, this season is looking amazingly like last season, with the shaky bullpen and strong starting pitching.

Interesting reads, and names, on the Lakers sale. All say no connection to Dodgers, Roberts shocked but says it’s above his pay grade so clearly it’s above mine. Lauer, Knack, Halverson. One might ask “who”? Phillips with an ERA of 5.7. Roster jostling. Ok. It will work out over the next month, right? Freddie still putting ball in play, and that’s good, but at 6’4” 220 he’s a big singles hitter. No way of knowing if Betts bat is waking up. He’s done this before followed by days of flatlining. What a difference consistency would make. Obviously. His throws from short still concern me. Freddie continues to bail him out in some. Others? Pages. Hello. McFly. Anybody home in there? Standings are in a bit of flux. Are the best teams about to rise? I don’t expect that to happen until September but it’s fun to watch starting in mid August. Ok. Out with the last place in with a first place. A real contender is town. They are coming of being throttled. They might arrive pissed.

Just don't show up at Matt Lauer's hotel room late at night on a work trip.