Dodgers Add 13th Pitcher Justin Wrobleski to 26-Man NLCS Roster, Drop Hyeseong Kim

Q: Can a historic rookie arm outduel an established ace to set the tone for this epic NLCS clash?

Yes — Jacob Misiorowski has a real chance to outduel Tarik Skubal in Game 1, but only if Milwaukee turns it into the kind of compressed, bullpen-heavy game it prefers. The case for Misiorowski is unusually strong for a rookie. He enters with a historic regular season: a 1.80 ERA, 252 strikeouts, a 0.80 WHIP and a .157 opponents’ average, numbers that put him in rare company. He has also matched up well with Los Angeles, posting a 1.59 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 17 career innings against the Dodgers, and current Dodgers hitters have managed just a .161 average against him overall. If his command is sharp early, his velocity and swing-and-miss stuff can absolutely set the tone. But Skubal is not just an established ace; he has been one of October’s most dependable starters. He owns a 1.97 career postseason ERA with 63 strikeouts in 45 2/3 playoff innings, and he looked dominant again in his NLDS opener. That track record makes him the safer bet to work efficiently through six or seven innings. The leverage point favors Milwaukee. The Brewers’ bullpen is rested and was dominant in the NLDS, allowing only one earned run in 19 innings. Manager Pat Murphy has shown he will pull starters aggressively, which reduces the burden on Misiorowski to go deep. If he gives Milwaukee four or five strong innings, that may be enough. So the rookie can win this matchup — but probably by handing off a lead, not by trying to match Skubal pitch for pitch deep into the night.

3 articles · Updated · MLB.com · Oct 11

Justin Wrobleski joined the Dodgers' 26-man NLCS roster for Game 1 in Milwaukee, giving Los Angeles a 13-man pitching staff while Hyeseong Kim was left off.
Dave Roberts sought extra pitching coverage for the best-of-seven series, and Wrobleski offers both short-relief experience and the ability to cover multiple innings.
Miguel Rojas was included despite lower back pain after getting through workouts and the flight to Milwaukee without issue, preserving infield depth.
Kim had made the NLDS roster mainly as a pinch-running option but was never used in that role, while Josue De Paula stayed on as the club's primary left-handed bat off the bench.