The Brewers were last in the NLCS—and the playoffs, in fact—seven years ago, in 2011, when Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun slugged their way to a 96–66 record. They lost in six to the Cardinals, who pounded Milwaukee’s suspect pitching. The Dodgers, meanwhile, are in their third straight NLCS (and fourth in six years). Last year brought their first win in that bunch; they beat the Cubs in five before losing to Houston in the World Series.
Is any of that history relevant? Perhaps not at first glance. But Milwaukee’s past loss may offer a window into what it is they’ll need to win.