When the Dodgers and Brewers meet in October, the headlines tend to focus on star power and late-inning heroics. The real story, though, might be unfolding in the dugouts. Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts has deep respect for Pat Murphy and Brewers - the old-school baseball lifer who took over Milwaukee's bench in November 2023. Roberts, who has managed the Dodgers since November 2015, understands exactly what kind of opponent he's up against when Murphy's Brewers come to Los Angeles.
Their paths have already crossed in high-stakes moments. The most notable came in the 2024 NLDS, when the Brewers stole the opener in Milwaukee before Roberts' club roared back to take the series 3 - 1. That wasn't just a test of rosters - it was a chess match between two managers with sharply contrasting styles. Murphy brings an edge, a grinder's mentality forged over decades in the minors and college ranks. Roberts brings a modern, player-first approach built for a 162-game grind. Different roads, same destination: winning in October.
And that's exactly why Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts has deep respect for Pat Murphy and Brewers. He doesn't toss compliments at rivals lightly - he respects preparation, toughness, and the ability to get a clubhouse to buy in. Murphy checks every box.
| Manager | Team | Took Over | Signature Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Roberts | Dodgers | November 2015 | Player-first culture, October pedigree |
| Pat Murphy | Brewers | November 2023 | Roster maximization, old-school edge |
What Roberts Sees in Murphy's Brewers
Around the game, Murphy is known as a manager who squeezes every ounce out of his roster. Milwaukee doesn't outspend anyone - which is precisely what makes them dangerous year after year. Under Murphy, the Brewers have leaned into pitching depth, defensive versatility, and aggressive baserunning. It's a formula Roberts has studied up close.
📊 162 games of proof - Milwaukee's consistency without a top-tier payroll makes them a yearly October threat in the National League.
Listen to Roberts talk about Murphy, and one word keeps coming up: "authentic." Murphy doesn't pretend to be something he's not. He's blunt. He's demanding. And his players run through walls for him. That's the same currency Roberts trades in with his own group in Los Angeles.
There's history here, too. Milwaukee's most recent deep October run came in 2018, when the Brewers pushed the Dodgers to a decisive Game 7 in the NLCS - a series that still ranks among the great modern playoff duels. Roberts was on the other bench for that one, and he walked away knowing the Brewers' organizational backbone wasn't a fluke. Murphy, then a key part of that staff, was a big reason why.
Why This Matters Heading Into October Baseball
The Dodgers and Brewers remain two of the most consistent winners in the National League, and any meeting between them carries weight. The respect Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts has deep respect for Pat Murphy and Brewers isn't just polite lip service - it's a signal that Milwaukee is viewed as a legitimate threat in Los Angeles, not an afterthought.
📊 3 - 1 in the 2024 NLDS - Roberts' Dodgers survived a Milwaukee opener steal, evidence that Murphy's clubs punch above their payroll every autumn.
For Brewers fans, that respect should land as validation. They've watched their club win division titles and scrap through postseason rounds without the spending power of a coastal superpower. Their manager is part of that identity now. And for Dodgers fans? It's a reminder that the path back to a World Series runs through clubs coached by men who've earned Roberts' genuine admiration.
When these two teams share a field, watch the handshake at the lineup card exchange. There's more there than protocol. There's respect - the kind you can only earn, never buy.
For the latest on the Dodgers' October push, check MLB.com and the Dodgers' official coverage throughout the postseason.
