Dodgers' High-Octane Pitching Strategy is About to Get a Reality Check in the NLCS

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made it a habit to lean heavily on their bullpen in high-pressure situations, and it paid dividends in the NLDS. However, as they gear up to take on the New York Mets in the National League Championship Series (NLCS), theyll have to rethink their strategy due to a couple of key factors.

Firstly, the longer best-of-seven format will require a more nuanced approach to pitching, as the Dodgers cant simply rely on their relievers to carry the load. In a short series, it's possible to get away with a piecemeal approach, bringing in specialist after specialist to shut down the opponent. But over the course of seven games, that gets unsustainable.

Add to that the loss of Alex Vesia to injury, and the Dodgers' bullpen has lost a crucial piece of its puzzle. Vesia was a key cog in the Dodgers' relief corps, and his absence will be deeply felt. In his place, the Dodgers will have to ask more of their starting pitchers to go deeper into games, putting additional strain on an already taxed staff.

This isnt to say that the Dodgers dont have the talent to adapt. Their starting rotation, headlined by the likes of Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler, is one of the best in the game. But theyll need to find ways to stretch out their starters without running them into the ground, all while navigating the challenges of a longer series.

The Mets, meanwhile, will be watching the Dodgers' situation with great interest. They know that if they can push the Dodgers' starters to their limits, they might be able to exploit the bullpen in the later innings. That could be the key to swinging the series in their favor.

For the Dodgers, it's a high-wire act. They need to find a way to balance the needs of the moment with the demands of a longer series, all while dealing with the loss of a key reliever. It's a tall order, but if anyone can navigate this challenge, it's the defending NL champions. The question is, will they be able to do it without burning out their pitching staff in the process?