LOS ANGELES (AP) — Austin Barnes is subbing into the Dodgers' lineup at catcher in place of struggling Yasmani Grandal for Game 4 of the NL Championship Series. The Brewers lead the series 2-games-to-1.
Los Angeles fans were chanting "We want Austin!" during a 4-0 Game 3 loss Monday night, and that was before Grandal struck out on three pitches with the bases loaded in the ninth. Grandal dropped to 3 for 22 in the playoffs with 10 strikeouts and also committed his third passed ball of the series.
The Dodgers' offensive woes aren't just about Grandal. The club went 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position, struck out 14 times and had just five hits Monday against Jhoulys Chacin and Milwaukee's bullpen.
Even worse for LA, the Brewers only needed shutdown lefty Josh Hader for eight pitches and two outs, meaning the All-Star could be available for manager Craig Counsell again Tuesday.
Gio Gonzales gets the call to start for the Brewers, while Rich Hill will take the mound for the Dodgers.
