LOS ANGELES -- Coming into the National League Championship Series, we -- the reliable baseball experts of the media world -- smugly thought we had the Milwaukee Brewers' plan for beating the Los Angeles Dodgers all laid out.
Get an early lead, likely with thunderous offense led by MVP candidate Christian Yelich. Go to the bullpen early, very early, and let those dominant relievers seal up the advantage. Use lights-out lefty Josh Hader in very targeted situations, and hope they were high-leverage enough to tip the series.
Alas, baseball has a way of turning expectation on its head, and we wouldn't have it any other way.