Dodgers on the Brink of Disaster Without Their Ace Reliever - Can They Survive the NLCS?

The Dodgers' path to the World Series just got a whole lot tougher. After cruising past the Padres in the NLDS, Los Angeles is gearing up to face off against the Mets in the NLCS. However, this time around, the Dodgers won't be able to rely on their trusty bullpen to get them through the series. The loss of Alex Vesia to injury has left a gaping hole in the Dodgers' relief corps, and the longer best-of-seven format of the NLCS means that the team's starting pitchers will need to step up in a big way if they want to have any chance of advancing to the Fall Classic.

Relying on the bullpen worked like a charm in the NLDS. The Dodgers were able to use their deep pool of relievers to shut down the Padres' lineup and come out on top in the series. However, the NLCS is a different story altogether. The longer format of the series means that the Dodgers will need to ask more of their starting pitchers, something that could be a recipe for disaster given the team's lack of depth in the rotation.

Of course, the Dodgers still have a few aces up their sleeve. Clayton Kershaw is expected to take the mound in Game 1 of the series, and the veteran left-hander is as reliable as they come. However, beyond Kershaw, the Dodgers' rotation is full of question marks. Can the team's other starters rise to the occasion and help the Dodgers advance to the World Series? Only time will tell.

One thing is for sure, though - the Dodgers' loss of Alex Vesia is a huge blow. The left-handed reliever has been one of the team's most reliable options out of the bullpen all season long, and his absence will be felt in a big way during the NLCS. The Dodgers will need to find a way to plug the hole left by Vesia's injury if they want to have any chance of advancing to the Fall Classic.

As the NLCS gets set to kick off, the Dodgers are facing an uphill battle. Without Alex Vesia, the team's bullpen is nowhere near as deep as it was during the NLDS. The starting pitchers will need to step up in a big way if the Dodgers want to advance to the World Series. Can they do it? Only time will tell.