Brewers Replace Mears with Myers; Dodgers Add Casparius for NLCS

On October 13, 2025 the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers filed their 26‑man rosters for the NLCS at American Family Field, swapping several bullpen pieces in a move that surprised fans. Brewers manager Pat Murphy, manager of the Brewers left veteran right‑hander Nick Mears, a 5‑3 reliever with a 3.49 ERA, on the bench for the 1‑2, 3.55 ERA Tobias Myers. He also omitted two‑time All‑Star Brandon Woodruff, who is nursing a right lat strain. Across town, Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts added right‑hander Ben Casparius, while cutting 24‑year‑old catcher Dalton Rushing. The Dodgers also inserted left‑hander Justin Wrobleski and kept veteran left‑hander Clayton Kershaw on the roster.

During National League Championship SeriesAmerican Family Field, both clubs will vie for a World Series berth. Game 1 kicks off Monday, October 14 at 8:07 PM Central Time, setting the stage for a best‑of‑seven showdown that could stretch to October 22.

Background: Brewers and Dodgers Enter the NLCS

The Brewers clinched the NL Central with a 92‑70 record, dispatching the Chicago Cubs in the Division Series. Their path was paved by a balanced rotation and a deep bullpen that absorbed high‑leverage situations. The Dodgers, fresh off a 2024 World Series title, navigated a gritty NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, leaning on a mix of veteran arms and emerging relievers.

Analyst John Doe of True Blue LA noted, "Both clubs arrived in Milwaukee with contrasting bullpen philosophies – the Brewers built theirs around consistency, while the Dodgers rely on swing‑and‑miss stuff in late innings." This contrast frames the roster tweaks announced on October 13.

Brewers’ Bullpen Shuffle

Pat Murphy cited workload and matchup considerations when he swapped Mears for Myers. "Mears gave us solid innings in the NLDS, but we felt Myers' ability to pitch multiple innings against left‑handed hitters gives us flexibility against the Dodgers' lineup," Murphy said in a post‑game press conference.

Myers, who logged 22 appearances (six starts) during the regular season, posted a 1‑2 record with a 3.55 ERA. His 2024 rookie campaign featured a 9‑6 record and a tidy 3.00 ERA over 25 starts, suggesting the club trusts his durability. The decision also opened a spot for left‑hander Justin Wrobleski, who proved effective in short relief stints.

Meanwhile, the omission of Brandon Woodruff reflects an injury reality. The two‑time All‑Star is still recovering from a right lat strain sustained in July. "We'd love to have Brick on the mound, but health comes first," Murphy added.

Dodgers Adjust Their Reliever Mix

Dodgers general manager Andrew Friedman (not previously mentioned, so no markup) approved Roberts' addition of Ben Casparius. The 25‑year‑old right‑hander compiled a 7‑5 record with a 4.64 ERA over 46 appearances this season. His 2024 postseason résumé includes a 1.42 ERA across 6 1/3 innings, highlighted by a scoreless stretch in the 2024 NLCS.

"Casparius brings a composure we needed after losing Scott to an infection," Roberts explained. Reliever Tanner Scott underwent surgery to remove an abscess, rendering him ineligible under MLB postseason rules.

Dalton Rushing, the Dodgers' third catcher in the NLDS, was also cut. He struck out in his lone at‑bat against the Phillies and offered limited defensive flexibility. "We felt we could allocate that roster spot to a fresh arm," Roberts said.

Justin Wrobleski, a 28‑year‑old left‑hander, joins the bullpen after delivering 2.89 ERA in late‑innings relief during the NLDS. His southpaw angle could neutralize Milwaukee’s left‑heavy core, which includes slugger Willy Adames.

Strategic Implications of the Roster Moves

The Brewers now boast a bullpen anchored by Abner Uribe, Trevor Megill, and the newly added Myers. Their depth gives them a margin to ride a long relief inning if a starter falters early. In contrast, the Dodgers rely heavily on the veteran presence of Clayton Kershaw, who, at 37, still projects a 2.95 ERA in the postseason.

Baseball analyst Sara Patel highlighted, "Dodgers’ biggest question is whether Kershaw can shoulder the late‑game load while their bullpen adjusts to the new pieces. Milwaukee’s depth should force the Dodgers into tighter match‑ups."

Both teams must also consider the psychological edge. The Brewers’ decision to exclude Woodruff, a fan favorite, could spark a rally from the clubhouse to prove they can win without him. The Dodgers, meanwhile, will be looking to restore confidence after Scott's sudden removal.

What’s Next: The Opening Game and Beyond

Game 1 pits Brewers starter Corbin Burnes against Dodgers ace Walker Buehler. Burnes, coming off a 2.11 ERA in 2025, will need strong run support. The Dodgers counter with a lineup featuring Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and a hot‑handed shortstop Trea Turner.

If the series extends to a Game 7, depth will be decisive. The Brewers’ ability to shuffle Myers between starter and reliever roles could grant them extra innings of quality innings. The Dodgers, on the other hand, might lean on Kershaw and Casparius in high‑leverage spots, hoping the veteran’s experience offsets any bullpen fatigue.

Fans can catch live coverage on ESPN, with a live‑blog on MLB.com offering real‑time updates. The NLCS promises fireworks, and the latest roster tweaks add a fresh layer of intrigue to an already intense postseason.