Brewers Trim Roster, Add Tobias Myers for NLCS Showdown

When Milwaukee Brewers unveiled their 26‑man lineup for the 2025 National League Championship Series on Monday, October 13, the headline was a single, surprising swap: rookie arm Tobias Myers took the spot of veteran reliever Nick Mears. The move set the tone for a series that pits the Brewers, fresh off a league‑best 97‑win campaign, against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers at American Family Field.

Roster Overview: What Changed and Why

The Brewers kept the core of their NLDS squad intact. All 12 pitchers from the Division Series remain, except for Mears, who delivered a 3.49 ERA in the regular season and posted a scoreless 1⅔‑inning stint against Chicago. In his place, 25‑year‑old Tobias Myers earned a roster spot. Myers, a 2024 rookie, threw a five‑inning shutout in the Wild Card Series versus the New York Mets, giving Milwaukee a flexible arm who can swing between a long‑relief role and spot starting if the series drags to seven games.

Behind the pitching shuffle, the position players are exactly the same set that powered the Brewers through the NLDS. Catcher William Contreras (27) will start behind the plate, with veteran Danny Jansen (33) as his backup. The infield features Jake Bauers at first, Caleb Durbin at third, Andruw Monasterio at second, and shortstop Joey Ortiz. Outfield duties fall to left‑fielder Jackson Chourio (20), right‑fielder Sal Frelick, and center‑fielder Blake Perkins, while 32‑year‑old slugger Christian Yelich serves as the designated hitter.

Pitching Staff Shift: Mears Out, Myers In

Nick Mears was a reliable bullpen piece during the regular season, posting a 3.49 ERA and striking out batters at a 9.2 K/9 rate. His three appearances in the NLDS were solid, but Milwaukee’s front office felt the need for a pitcher who could eat multiple innings if the series extends. That’s where Myers comes in. In the Wild Card Series he logged five innings without allowing a run, striking out six and walking just one. Manager Pat Murphy, who has overseen the Brewers’ staff since 2022, said the decision was "about depth and flexibility," especially given the Dodgers’ propensity to swing left‑handed starters like Tyler Glasnow and Julio Urías.

Matt Arnold, the Brewers’ General Manager, added that the move also hedges against fatigue. "We’ve only had one five‑plus‑inning outing in the postseason so far," Arnold explained at a press conference outside American Family Field. "If the series goes the distance, we need someone who can step in and give us quality innings without burning through the bullpen."

Position Players: Performance Trends and Health Updates

Jackson Chourio tweaked a hamstring in Game 1 of the NLDS but rebounded to play all nine innings in the next three contests. His speed on the bases and solid defensive reads keep him in the mix as a late‑inning spark plug. Second‑base star Brice Turang, who hit a dramatic home run in Game 5 of the NLDS, went 0‑for‑4 in Game 1 of the NLCS and sits at a modest .125 batting average (3‑for‑24) in the postseason. The dip hasn’t shaken the club’s confidence; Turang’s veteran presence is still valued for his clutch potential.

Freddy Woodruff remains on the injured list, still recovering from a right lat strain suffered on September 24. His absence was expected, and the Brewers have no intention of rushing him back before the World Series, even if they advance.

Strategic Context: Facing the Dodgers

The Brewers entered the NLCS with an enviable 6‑0 regular‑season record against the Dodgers, a streak that includes two sweeps at home and four wins on the road. The Dodgers, however, are a different animal in the playoffs. Left‑handed power hitters Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernández have combined for a .346 average against Milwaukee’s starters this postseason. That fact heavily influenced the decision to swap a right‑hander like Mears for a left‑hander who can pitch from the left side of the mound if needed.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also tinkered with his roster, adding reliever Ben Casparius to counter Milwaukee’s left‑handed batters. The back‑and‑forth roster chess matches underline how much both clubs value matchup minutiae.

Looking Ahead: Game 2 and Beyond

Game 2 is set for Tuesday, October 14 at 8:00 PM ET on TBS. Pitching assignments have yet to be announced, but the Brewers are expected to lean on starter Corbin Burnes, who logged a dominant 10‑scoreless‑inning effort in the regular season. If the series tilts in Milwaukee’s favor, Myers could be called upon in a long‑relief role late in the game, preserving the high‑leverage arms for the final stretch.

Should the Dodgers push the series to a decisive Game 7, the flexibility Myers provides could be the X‑factor. As Arnold summed up, "Depth is our advantage. We have the talent; we just need to apply it at the right moments."

Historical Background: Brewers’ Playoff Evolution

Milwaukee’s ascent to NLCS contention is the culmination of a decade‑long rebuild that began with the hiring of GM Matt Arnold in 2015. Prior to this year, the Brewers made a few postseason appearances but never broke through past the Division Series. The 2025 campaign marks the first time the club has won the National League Central by a double‑digit margin and clinched the league’s best record. The strategic roster moves throughout the season—trading for William Contreras, signing free‑agent Yelich, and developing home‑grown arms like Myers—have paid dividends.

In comparison, the Dodgers have won three World Series titles since 2017 and are accustomed to deep playoff runs. Their experience versus the Brewers’ fresh momentum makes for a classic "youth versus veteran" narrative that will likely dominate sports talk for weeks.