The crew also weighed in on White Sox Manager Will Venable being named AL Manager of the Year, the Reds’ Sal Stewart being named NL Rookie of the Year, and the Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle being named AL Rookie of the Year.

All of that and more on this episode of the Black Baseball Mixtape podcast.

Hosted by Cheats. IG: BlackBaseballMixtape@gmail.com

The holidays are here, so we figured it was time to open up the Black Baseball Mixtape (BBM) Clubhouse. We scoured the internet for the gear, apparel, snacks, and other gifts that our community should have on their radar. Some are made specifically for the game, others bring flavor from the world around it, and some are just dope. We’ll always show love to the brands that have helped build the BBM community. So whether you’re shopping for the baseball player in your life, or treating yourself because you deserve something nice, we’ve got a few ideas for you. Check out the guide and support the companies that have you and our community at heart. Happy holidays from the Black Baseball Mixtape!

Numbers Game Scorecards

If you’ve been listening to the Black Baseball Mixtape or the “In The Booth” podcast, you’ll know that Numbers Game Scorecards has been a proud supporter for a minute. Numbers Game provides high-quality and easy to carry baseball scorecards and scorebooks that you can take your next game in style. Plus, if you pick up the Black Baseball Mixtape branded scorecard, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind way to keep track of a game!

Website: https://www.numbersgame.co/

Promo code BLACKBASEBALLMIXTAPE at checkout for a discount off your order!

STEELO.

Baseball has always had its own style, and Steelo Sports is making sure the next generation keeps that tradition alive. This Black-owned baseball brand brings performance, personality, and a little hip-hop culture to the diamond, with premium gloves, bats, batting gloves, and gear for players who want to stand out. As a longtime supporter of the Black Baseball Mixtape, Steelo has consistently shown love to the culture. Now it’s your turn to show some love back! Whether you’re shopping for the serious ballplayer or somebody who just appreciates a little swagger with their swing, Steelo has you covered.

Website: https://www.steelosports.com/

Yardball

The idea behind Yardball is genius. It’s a baseball, wrapped in leather, so that you can play catch barehanded. And while the size may seem random at first, finding a way to play catch safely shouldn’t be a problem. There’s some fascinating color combinations too so it’s easy to gift multiple Yardballs as the perfect gift set. As the website says, Yardball is “bigger than a baseball, smaller than a softball and softer than both.”

Website: https://www.yardball.com/

Discount Code: BBMholiday10

Teambrown Apparel

Baseball history looks good on everybody, and Teambrown Apparel brings the game’s greatest stories directly to your wardrobe. Their Negro Leagues Collection, officially licensed through the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, celebrates the legendary teams and players who helped shape the game, from the Kansas City Monarchs to the Homestead Grays. With tees, hoodies, and more, it’s a chance to rep the history, honor the legacy, and give the baseball fan in your life something with a little more meaning than another team logo. Check out the Crown Collection Sweatshirt.

Website: https://teambrownapparel.com/

Bifties

Bifties makes gift-giving feel good in more ways than one. This Black-owned gifting company curates boxes packed with products from Black-owned businesses, giving you a chance to discover new favorites while putting some money back into the community. Bifties (short for Black + Gifties) was founded by Constance Panton in 2016 with the mission of supporting black-owned brands. We recommend you check out the 12 Days of Bifts Advent Calendar!

Website: https://bifties.com/

The Players Alliance

Our longtime podcast partners, The The Players Alliance, is a non-profit organization founded by current and former professional baseball and softball players. Their mission is to make the game more accessible and equitable for youth across the U.S. Their focus on minority and underserved communities aligns with the mission of the Black Baseball Mixtape. Supporting their gift shop helps to grows the game at every level.

Website: https://www.playersalliance.org

Diamond Culture Co.

Diamond Culture Co. was founded on the belief that baseball and softball are more than the game. It’s about the people, the experiences, the sacrifices, and the culture that bring athletes together. Founded by a former collegiate baseball player, Diamond Culture Co. was created from direct experience. There premium batting gloves are developed with careful attention to fit, feel, and functionality — and they look damn good.

Website: https://diamondcultureco.myshopify.com/

Discount Code: BLACKBASEBALLMIXTAP

Minority Prospect Store

The flagship shop for Minority Prospects — a premier grassroots organization and digital media platform dedicated to promoting, educating, and providing maximum exposure for minority baseball and softball student-athletes worldwide. The platform operates as a crucial pipeline, bridging talented youth, high school, and college players with Major League Baseball (MLB) scouts and collegiate programs.

Website: https://www.minorityprospectstore.com/home

Rebellion Harvest: Sunflower Seeds

Looking for the best sunflower seeds? Buy from Rebellion Harvest for snacks bursting with flavor and health benefits. Perfect for any time of day! With flavors like Lemon Pepper Wet, Exotic Ranch, Cracked Pepper, and Off the Grill, you can’t strike out with this flavorful snack. Rebellion Harvest is culture in a nutshell.

Website: https://rebellionharvest.com/

At the Black Baseball Mixtape, we value community and appreciate our partners. While shopping our gift guide, know that you are not only getting excellent products, but you are also supporting the growth and diversity of baseball at every level.

Happy Holidays from the Black Baseball Mixtape!

When Major League Baseball (MLB) announced its multi-year partnership with Jerry Lorenzo’s fashion brand Fear of God, it opened Pandora’s box. “I get asked every day about Fear of God collaborations,” Anthony Manuel, Director of Youth Activates for Fear of God, told me over the phone. “We say no to most of them. Not only are we protective of the brand, but my brother and I also want to make sure our partnerships truly align with our values and how we see the game. That is one of the reasons why collaborating with The Hill Boys was a no-brainer and a perfect fit,” he said.

While a collaboration between the highly popular fashion brand and The Hill Boys, an Atlanta-based elite baseball development program founded by former MLB players Marquis Grissom and Lou Collier, may make sense on the surface, two ascending brands uniting at an opportune time. I assure you this connection runs much deeper than the optics.

The Grissom-Manuel relationship dates back to the 1990s in Montreal. In 1991, Jerry Manuel joined the coaching staff of the Expos, a team he played for in the 80s. Marquis Grissom, then a budding star in his mid-twenties, instantly connected with Manuel. Their bond expanded beyond the field and extended to their families. “Most people don’t know Marquis calls me Gator,” said Anthony. “Whenever I see him, it’s ‘Hey Gator.’ We were fishing one time in Florida when I was young, and we were so caught up in the activity, we didn’t even notice that an alligator had made it to our feet. “ Ever since then, he’s called me Gator.”

“The relationship goes further back than most people know, Cheats,” Lou Collier, co-founder of The Hill Boys and an eight-year MLB veteran, told me. “Once you start pulling back those layers, it’s a beautiful story.”

The Manuel family, the Colliers, and the Grissoms are all intertwined in the close-knit web of high-level grassroots baseball. Youth baseball is now a multibillion-dollar industry. It grows more expensive and exclusive every year. The high cost and the omnipresence of travel baseball have contributed to fewer African Americans embracing the game. Collier and Grissom have developed a blueprint to ensure the next generation of Black baseball players are included and up for the challenge.

The Hill Boys can mean a few different things. If you Google Hill Boys Baseball, you’ll find the Atlanta-based elite baseball training program founded by Collier and Grissom. You’ll see their philosophy of building complete ballplayers, not just physical athletes. They teach character, confidence, and community, and emphasize discipline, energy, and accountability more than home runs and double plays. But the Hill Boys also serve as the moniker for a tight-knit friend group of professional players, some of the most popular Black baseball players in the game today. 2022 NL Rookie of the Year Michael Harris, Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler, Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson, who recently took the baseball world by storm in the 2026 postseason, 2022 Reds 1st-round draft pick Cam Collier, and 2022 Nationals 13th-round draft pick Marquis Grissom Jr., all have the distinction of being original Hill Boys. Their bond was codified during the COVID shutdown at Grissom’s farm property in Georgia - and yes, it features a pretty grueling hill.

“It was really Marquis Jr. that got it started,” Collier told me. His peer group was at a pivotal time in their baseball development, and COVID shut everything down. “They came to me and Marquis Sr. and wanted to work out,” said Collier. “I don’t think we picked up a ball or a bat for at least three weeks. Those early days were hardcore conditioning. To be honest, I wanted to see if they were going to quit. But once we saw they were serious, Marquis (Sr.) and I took it seriously too,” Collier remembers. “Once they started working out, they started bringing more of their friends, pros like (Michael) Harris and (Lawrence) Butler. You have to understand, Cheats, this was not public; it wasn’t a business at the time; this was real friends putting in the work to develop their skills.”

“We share the same philosophy,” Anthony Manuel said. “Being the underdog — getting it out the mud — putting in the hours and hours of hard work,” Manuel told me with passion. Manuel possesses a coach-first mentality. He has coached in the Reds organization and can often be found training youth players, either individually or through programs sponsored by MLB Develops.

“The Hill Boys represent freedom, opportunity, visibility, creativity — when you look at the way Michael Harris plays the game, Lawrence Butler, Chandler Simpson, these young men are creating their own lane in such an authentic way,” Manuel continued. “And add the fact that we are truly supporting family — it makes the collaboration much more meaningful.”

Marquis Grissom Jr. remembers meeting Jerry Lorenzo, founder of Fear of God and a former FAMU baseball player, at the Dream Series in Atlanta nearly a decade ago. “I knew he was Jerry Manuel’s son, but I didn’t know his connection to Fear of God,” Grissom recalls. “His dad coached my dad, and family was always around. They always said they’d take care of me, but seeing the Fear of God X The Hill Boys — that’s crazy. It really shows me how far we can take this Hill Boys movement.”

The Fear of God brand has three tiers: Fear of God, Fear of God Essentials, and Fear of God Athletics. When asked what the future of Fear of God Athletics, the answer is a bit elusive. “The future is not uncertain, but it is unpredictable,” said Anthony. “We have a lot of ideas, and the brand has the freedom to go in several directions. The key is that the future of Fear of God Athletics will always align with our values. Those values are on full display through the Jerry Manuel Foundation, through the work of MGBA (Marquis Grissom Baseball Association), MLB Develops, and the Hill Boys,” Anthony said with passion.

“Last thing I’ll say, Cheats: This collab is so special for our family, because it is a true full-circle moment. Lou and Marquis are such caring people, loving people, and selfless people. They’ve looked after us with love for as long as I can remember,” Anthony recites. “I remember being in L.A. and getting emotional when Cam (Collier) got drafted by the Reds. The family love runs deep between the Manuels, Grissoms, and Colliers. Lou and Marquis have been so great to us over the years; blessing them with Fear of God Essentials was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.

Words by Cheats, Founder of the Black Baseball Mixtape

Cheats quarterbacks it all. Enjoy this very special episode.

Lewis Brinson IG: @LewisBrins25

Justin Wylie IG: @Jdubsjuicebox

Cheats IG: @BlackBaseballMixtape

The 2026 season and championship are a full-circle moment for Hamilton. The Brewers drafted him in 2019, then traded him to the Red Sox in 2021. He broke into the BIGS in 2023 and played three seasons with the Sox. He was traded back to the Brewers at the start of the 2026 and is now a World Series champion.

There were only four American-born Black players active in the 2026 World Series, with Hamilton being the only member of the Brewers. All should laud his contribution, but it means a bit extra for our Mixtape community.

Congrats #6

I found Mr. Banner to be very impressive during the press conference.

I look forward to following his journey and having him on the Mixtape in the future. @orioles

The attendance at the Trop was listed at 40,514; I’m thinking 40% of them were Brewers fans. And those fans were elated after 22-year-old Copper Pratt hit what we all thought was the go-ahead, championship-winning homer in the top of the 12th. Pratt had four hits in the game, the first 22-year-old to have four hits in the World Series since the day before; that’s right, Jackson Chourio collected four hits the night before, but it is still very rare.

Brewers’ Skipper Pat Murphy started Dustin May in Game 4 with the idea of throwing a bullpen game. He turned to the pen in the fourth and rolled Romero, Uribe, Hall, Megill, and Ashby to the 12th. In the 12th, he turned to Antonio Senzatela and Shane Drohan. It did not end well. Caminero reached first on a lead-off error. The Rays tied the game on a Johnny DeLuca single, and then walked the game off on a Ben Williamson pinch-hit single.

Chandler Simpson had a big day: 3 for 5, 1 RBI, and a stellar catch against the wall in the 12th. Simpson is becoming a Black Baseball Mixtape breakout star this postseason.

Kevin Cash made it clear that their big three: Diaz, Aranda, and Caminero, have to get going if the Rays have a shot at a comeback.

Tonight, the Brewers will start their ace, Jacob Misiorowski, on his normal rest. Would you consider this game a must-win game for the Brew Crew?

The Brewers destroyed the Rays 10-1 in a must-win game for the Rays. They sealed the victory in the 5th inning with a two-out, seven-hit, eight-run rally that really ended any hope for the Rays to win the game - and maybe the series.

The Brewers’ starter Robert Gasser pitched six shutout innings, lowering his postseason ERA to 0.60 over 15 innings. His teammates call him Bobby Gas, and he has been in rare form all postseason. Gasser, 27, a 2021 second-round draft pick from the University of Houston, was 5-5 in the regular season, but has elevated every phase of his game in the postseason. Last night, he became the first lefty to face the minimum over at least six innings of a World Series since Sandy Koufax in 1965.

Jackson Chourio had another tremendous game. He paced the Brewers with four hits, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 SB. The 22-year-old Venezuelan is batting 286/308/429 this postseason with 2 home runs and 9 RBIs.

In closing, I have to give a nod to the Brewers fans. They showed up and showed out at the Trop. The TV broadcast said it was cheaper to fly to Florida, get a hotel, and buy a ticket at the Trop than to go to American Family Field. If that is true, that is unbelievable, but given the number of Brewers fans at the game, I wouldn’t doubt it.

Game 4 is tonight at the Trop. Will this be the end of a magical season for Milwaukee?

On the other hand, the Rays are showing cracks in the mentality. In Game 2, Junior Caminero was showing his passion in the dugout by laying into the team. This may have been motivational, but it’s definitely different from the Rays’ carefree attitude leading up to the World Series. I think that’s a problem.

On this episode of Finish Your Breakfast, Joshua Palacios joins the show, Flobo and Elijah Flewellen return, and we talk Game 3 for the masses.

The vibe at American Family Field was excellent. From the ceremonial first pitch delivered by Robin Yout in a Bob Ucker jersey, to the final out of the game by Brewers closer Trevor Megill, the game was a true thriller.

Yelich, Contreras, and Chourio delivered the RBIs for the Brewers. Liam Hicks had both RBIs for the Brewers. Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski went 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3Ks. He threw several pitches over 100 mph, and his 103 mph pitch is the fastest in World Series history. The Rays’ Nick Martinez did his job: 5 IP, 2 ER, 5Ks, but it was not enough as the Brewers bullpen was rock solid.

Game 2 is tonight. Start time is 8 PM EST. I still don’t believe this is a “must-win” game for the Rays, but with their ace Drew Rasmussen on the hill, they really do want this one in their win column.

The big question for today is: Who You Got?

Follow the Black Baseball Mixtape on Substack, IG, and Discord throughout the World Series.

Words by Cam Cox

This year’s Fall Classic is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory, with some of the most captivating storylines. On one side are the American League champion Tampa Bay Rays; on the other, the National League champion Milwaukee Brewers. The two teams are so similar that it’s hard to pick a winner. Both franchises are chasing their first World Series title. The Rays are making their third appearance in their 29 seasons as a franchise, while the Brewers are making their second, and their first since 1982.

Built Alike

Both teams were the best in their respective leagues this season and finished first and second in wins across the majors. Milwaukee set a franchise record with 103 wins on its way to the NL Central title, while the Rays won 98 games battling through an AL East that sent not one but two other teams to the playoffs, the Red Sox and the Yankees. What makes it remarkable is that both clubs sit in the bottom third in payroll: the Brewers rank 19th at $142 million, and the Rays rank 28th at $90 million. Yet these two led the league in wins.

The Rotations

Now let’s get to the on-field play, starting with the rotations. The Brewers’ staff is led by Jacob Misiorowski, a hard-throwing righty who is sure to take home the NL Cy Young Award. If the series goes seven, we could see him in Games 1, 4, and 7, or even closing out a game if needed, because he has been that dominant. Logan Henderson and Robert Gasser are expected to start the remaining games, and both have held their own in their playoff starts. Still, the Brewers have kept their starters on a short leash: across their six combined starts, none of the three has reached even 10 innings this postseason.

The Rays, on the other hand, have let their starters go deeper into games, and it has paid off in wins while saving the bullpen. The three-man rotation of Drew Rasmussen, Freddy Peralta, and Nick Martinez has been tested and passed with flying colors. Martinez will get the ball in Game 1, setting up a matchup with Misiorowski. Peralta, whom the Brewers traded to the Mets this past offseason before the Mets dealt him to Tampa Bay at the trade deadline, found his form down the stretch and earned ALCS MVP honors, much to the dismay of Mets fans. It’s also a full-circle moment for him, since he pitched for these same Brewers just last season. I’m giving the Rays a slight edge in the rotation simply because of the innings their starters have provided in the playoffs.

The Lineups

By regular-season numbers, the lineups are about as evenly matched as they can be. The two teams tied for the lead in team batting average at .258, and they’re separated by a single point in slugging percentage, with the Brewers at .403 and the Rays at .402. The key factor for the Rays is that they’re a high-contact team that struck out the fewest times in baseball this season. That will matter against Miz’s fastball and Milwaukee’s arsenal of bullpen arms. If the Rays can grind out long at-bats and keep the pressure on Brewers pitchers, they can chase the starters even earlier and push Milwaukee deep into its bullpen.

The Rays out-homered the Brewers this season, 169 to 154, but much of that edge comes from Junior Caminero, who hit 42 on his own. The Brewers, meanwhile, outpaced Tampa Bay in extra-base hits. Speed will also play a role in this series, because both managers love to put the running game in motion. Both teams finished in the top five in stolen bases, and the Rays have the AL stolen-base champion in Chandler Simpson, whose speed can change a game.

The Managers

Honestly, the biggest factor in this series will be the managers. Kevin Cash and Pat Murphy are both well-respected game managers who seem to push all the right buttons. Both preach clean baseball and believe in winning with small ball. In the postseason, it’s not about how many home runs you can hit; it’s about whether you can execute the hit-and-run and the sacrifice bunt while limiting physical and mental errors. The key will be how each manager handles their starting pitchers and bullpen. Whoever has the best feel for the moment and for his pitchers will win this series. We’ve seen Cash questioned before for pulling a pitcher based on analytics, so it will be interesting to see whether he goes with his gut this time.

The Pick

My head can’t call a winner because these teams are so evenly matched, but my heart says the third time’s the charm for the Rays. What I do know is that in these final games of the season, we’ll see some quality baseball, and one fan base will celebrate its first World Series title.

Words by Cam Cox on behalf of the Black Baseball Mixtape

This sets up a Rays versus Brewers World Series, and guarantees a first-time World Series winner. The Series starts on Friday in Milwaukee.

The Rays and the Brewers are the right World Series. They’ve been the best team in their respective leagues all year. The Rays open as a slight favorite in Vegas, but this is about as even as a matchup as you’re going to get. I can’t wait.

Let me know your prediction. Finish Your Breakfast.

Despite the ambition of the Cleveland faithful, the Rays, and particularly their ace pitcher Drew Rasmussen, had other plans. Rassmussen took the ball and delivered another playoff gem; he went 7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 6 Ks. The Rays got timely hitting from Jonathan Aranda and Liam Hicks, and won the game 3-1. The series now shifts back to Tampa, with the Rays one game away from the World Series.

The Guardians are very tough with their back against the wall, and that is exactly the position they are in. The Rays will start Freddy Peralta on Monday night — the Guardians have not named their starter. If the Guardians need bulletin board look no further than a win guarantee from the Rays’ Yandy Diaz. “It's a great opportunity. All of us are thinking of it,” Díaz said through interpreter Kevin Vera. “But it all ends tomorrow. We're going to win tomorrow.”

Following the game, Dodgers veteran Miguel Rojas announced his retirement. The 13-year veteran, a native of Venezuela, appeared in 1,401 games for the Marlins and the Dodgers. He batted 260/313/363, with 61 HR and 386 RBIs—no homer or RBI bigger than his heroics in the 2025 World Series. The Dodgers were down to their last out; Rojas hit a dramatic game-tying solo home run in the 9th inning of Game 7. The Dodgers went on to win the game and secure back-to-back championships.

Where do the Dodgers go from here? There’s plenty of time to discuss that. Keep following the Black Baseball Mixtape Substack, podcast, and Discord.

To Cleveland: The Guardians took a 2-1 series lead, following their 3-2 win in Game 3. The big blow came off the bat of Guardians’ center fielder Petey Halpin. His go-ahead, two-run homer in the fifth put Cleveland up for good. Guardians’ ace Gavin Williams took the ball to start the game. He struck out nine over five innings. Nathaniel Lowe got the Guardians on the board in the second inning with an RBI double. The Rays only mustered three hits. Gold Glove finalist Chandler Simpson hit a two-run triple in the 4th for the Rays’ only runs.

Game 4 is not a must-win for Tampa, but it’s starting to feel like it. The Rays and the Guardians take the field tonight at 8 PM EST.

There is no way around this; the Dodgers look old, tired, and injured. The postseason magic that secured back-to-back championships seems to have lost all its potency. Ohtani is banged up, Betts is struggling despite last night’s two-run double, and Will Smith has been struggling. The entire Dodgers team has struggled to hit with runners in scoring position. That is not the case for the Brewers.

The Brewers got an outstanding pitching performance from starter Robert Gasser: 5 IP, 3H, 0E ER, 3K. Notwithstanding a rare tough postseason outing from Uribe, whom the Brewers have faced in every game, the bullpen continued its standard dominance.

Are the Dodgers cooked? I think so, but at least one game remains in the NLCS.

Joining me on today’s FYB are our good brother Flobito, and first-time guest Justin Wylie.

The series is now tied 1-1 and moves to Cleveland. My gut says the Rays are the better team, but anything can happen when the margins for error are so thin.

The Dodgers and Brewers are back in action tonight, and this is a must-win game for the defending champions. Blake Snell takes the mound for L.A. and hopes to rebound from a rocky performance in the NLDS. Robert Gasser is on the mound for Milwaukee. WHO? That’s right, Robert Gasser. He is 5-5 this season with a 3.876 ERA, 103 Ks, and a 1.19 WHIP. He got the start in Game 4 of the NLDS and pitched four innings in the Brewers’ series-winning victory.

After much media debate, it is clear that Shohei Ohtani will be in the lineup tonight. He has been struggling with his health (hip) and at the plate, but you can’t leave the GOAT on the sidelines when you’re fighting for your life.

The Dodgers now head to L.A. and will try to “get right.” This really applies to the Dodgers’ star, Shohei Ohtani, who isn’t hitting and isn’t healthy. The Dodgers will evaluate if he can even be in the lineup moving forward.

What do you think? Should the Dodgers sit Ohtani? If they do, do they have any chance of going back to their third World Series in three years?

It was a back-and-forth game at the Trop — until it wasn’t. The Guardians, the team that was supposed to be tired and worn out, took control of the game in the second half, outscoring the Rays 7-1 after the 5th inning. Jose Ramirez was 3-for-5, with an RBI and two runs scored. Jo Adell had a huge hit in the 9th that put the Guardians up 7-3. There were few bright spots for the Rays. Their ace Drew Rasmussen gave up 8 hits and 2 ER in six innings of work. He had seven strikeouts. The Rays pulled BBM favorite Cedric Mullins out of witness protection, and Ced delivered an eight-inning homer. Cleveland used six pitchers in the game- a sign of the times (the Rays used six). The final score was 7-3.

While the NL travels, Game 2 between the Guardians and the Rays is tonight at 8 PM—Parker Messick vs. Freddy Peralta.

The game was billed as the ultimate pitcher’s duel between the fireballer Jacob Misiorowski and two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, and they both showed the crowd why they are worth the price of admission. Skubal: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 Ks. He was really good, but the few mistakes he made, one to Turang in the 4th for a solo home run, and one to Luis Lara in the 5th, proved to be the difference in the closely contested game. Misiorowski: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 5K, seemed to be fighting with his stuff most of his time. He worked in and out of jams, but only gave up one run in the top of the first.

The story of the game was the Brewers bullpen. Hall, Uribe, Ashby, and Megill shot the Dodgers down from the 4th inning on. Uribe was the only member of the Brewers bullpen to give up a hit. The Dodgers bullpen: Vesia, Phillips, and Scott were also excellent.

This is a game the Brewers had to win. They couldn’t have afforded to lose ground in the Series with Misiorowski on the hill. Now the pressure shifts to the Dodgers and Yamamoto. Though the Dodgers don’t need to win a game in Milwaukee tonight, they must win with Yamamoto on the mound.

Game 2 is tonight at 5 PM EST on FS1.