Brewers’ Plan to Solve Blake Snell: TBS Analysts Break Down

The Milwaukee Brewers are making headlines ahead of their National League Championship Series clash with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manager Pat Murphy surprised everyone by deciding to start reliever Aaron Ashby in Game 1.

This move has sparked debate among analysts and fans. Many are questioning the strategy and wondering how Milwaukee plans to counter Dodgers’ starter Blake Snell.

Expert panelists from the TBS pregame show weighed in on both pitching matchups. They offered some interesting takes on what could be a wild opener.

Pat Murphy’s Bold Pitching Move

In the postseason, managers usually rely on their most consistent starters to set the tone. Murphy’s choice to hand the ball to Ashby—a reliever by trade—breaks from tradition and adds a twist to the Brewers’ playoff story.

Analysts debated whether this was a calculated move to disrupt the Dodgers’ rhythm or a sign that Milwaukee is putting big trust in their bullpen.

Analysts’ Takes on Ashby’s Role

Pedro Martinez admitted he’s got some concerns about Ashby’s potential fatigue in October. Still, he praised Murphy’s willingness to try something different.

Pedro thinks the bullpen could be Milwaukee’s secret weapon, even if Ashby only throws a few innings before passing the torch to the relief crew.

Meanwhile, Curtis Granderson and Jimmy Rollins sounded more skeptical. Both predicted a Dodgers win in Game 1, hinting that this approach might leave Milwaukee exposed against a lineup that loves to pounce when momentum swings their way.

Brewers’ Offensive Game Plan Against Blake Snell

If the Brewers want to offset their unconventional pitching start, they’ll need a sharp offensive plan against Blake Snell. The TBS panel seemed to agree: patience and smart aggression could be the keys to getting to Snell.

Keys to Hitting Against Snell

Pedro Martinez stressed the need to force Snell to throw strikes. He warned that chasing pitches outside the zone plays right into Snell’s hands, since the lefty thrives when hitters get impatient.

Jimmy Rollins took it a step further, suggesting Brewers batters should look for pitches on the inside part of the plate, where Snell isn’t always precise.

Rollins said even fouling off those inside pitches could set up better swings when Snell eventually leaves one over the middle. He’s all about staying engaged in the count and making Snell work for every out.

Leveraging Milwaukee’s Speed

Granderson brought up Milwaukee’s aggressive baserunning as another angle. He thinks the Brewers should test Snell’s ability to control the running game and make him split his focus.

Pushing the envelope on the bases could open up stolen base chances and maybe distract Snell enough to make a mistake over the plate. That’s a wrinkle worth considering, isn’t it?

Predictions for Game 1

The panel’s picks were split, which really shows how much uncertainty surrounds Murphy’s decision. Martinez leaned Brewers, crediting their deep bullpen and adaptability.

Rollins and Granderson both went with the Dodgers, pointing to the stability and playoff experience on their roster as big advantages in a short series opener.

The X-Factor

No one really knows how Murphy plans to transition from Ashby to the rest of the pitching staff. If Ashby can give them two or three strong innings, Milwaukee’s bullpen could be in a great spot to close things out.

But if there’s trouble early, Murphy might have to make quick changes—putting the offense under pressure to answer back fast. That’s the gamble, and honestly, it’s what makes this matchup so intriguing.

What to Watch

The series is finally here. Game 1 brings a bunch of storylines worth following:

• How long will Ashby actually stay on the mound before Murphy calls for the bullpen?
• Can Brewers hitters stick to a disciplined approach at the plate?
• Will aggressive baserunning throw Snell off his game?
• Which prediction ends up right—Martinez’s, or Rollins and Granderson’s?

Murphy’s decision pretty much guarantees Game 1 won’t be routine. Fans should expect some chess-like strategy, a few risks, and all the unpredictable drama that makes postseason baseball so addictive.

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Here is the source article for this story: TBS pregame analysts focus on Brewers’ plan of attack against Dodgers’ Blake Snell