The Los Angeles Dodgers' bid for a third straight World Series title ended abruptly with a four-game sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series, putting manager Dave Roberts back under scrutiny despite one of the most successful managerial runs in baseball.
Milwaukee advanced to the World Series for the first time since 1982 after winning all four games of the NLCS. Los Angeles, widely viewed as a championship favorite entering the season, struggled to turn early leads into wins and was eliminated without taking a game in the series.
Roberts drew criticism for several decisions during the series, including his use of pinch hitters and his willingness to stay with players who were struggling offensively.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy, however, said the expectations surrounding the Dodgers make Roberts' job unusually demanding.
"Anything short of a championship is considered a failure," Murphy said, according to DodgerBlue.
Murphy said the Dodgers remain a team he respects, pointing to their star power and consecutive World Series championships in 2024 and 2025. He said beating a club of that stature made Milwaukee's own run more meaningful.
He also noted that Roberts operates under constant pressure because of the Dodgers' payroll, roster and recent success.
"I don't think there's anyone in a tougher or lonelier position than Dave Roberts," Murphy said. "When anything other than winning it all is viewed as failure, that is a very difficult standard to live with."
Roberts has nevertheless built a lengthy record of success in Los Angeles.
The Dodgers have reached the postseason in each of his 11 seasons as manager, winning 10 division titles. They have recorded six 100-win seasons, finished with the National League's best regular-season record five times and won three World Series championships during his tenure.
Roberts also has 72 postseason victories, the second-most by a manager in major league history. His .621 career winning percentage is the highest among managers since Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947, according to DodgerBlue.
The Brewers' sweep was notable because Los Angeles scored first in every game but failed to hold those advantages. Milwaukee repeatedly rallied and ultimately controlled the series both offensively and defensively.
Murphy said that persistence was central to Milwaukee's success.
He described his roster as a group that continued to compete regardless of the Dodgers' reputation or collection of star players, and said the Brewers entered the series determined to prove they could beat the two-time defending champions.
For Roberts, the result means another offseason in which his decisions will be examined closely. But Murphy argued that the Dodgers' loss should not erase the consistency Roberts has maintained over more than a decade in charge.
(This article was produced with the assistance of AI. — Ed.)