Brief
Brewers manager Pat Murphy vows new attitude against Dodgers in NLCS
Murphy says the Brewers will ‘kick their butts’ and drops the underdog narrative ahead of Game 1.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Milwaukee – Brewers manager Pat Murphy told reporters on Oct. 10 that his team will approach the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a new attitude, apologising for last year’s under‑dog comments.
What happened
Murphy, 67, opened a pre‑game press conference at American Family Field on Saturday, Oct. 10, before Game 1 of the NLCS. He said, “We want to kick their butts,” and added that he no longer cares who is the underdog or favorite. The comment follows a 4‑0 sweep by the Dodgers in the previous year’s NLCS, after which Murphy joked that the Dodgers could not name eight players on his roster.
What the reports add
The New York Post article notes that Murphy’s earlier joke “backfired,” turning the Brewers from the league’s winningest team into “a collection of obscure laborers.” It also highlights Murphy’s colorful background, including his past as an amateur boxer who moved to Miami hoping to fight professionally, and his habit of asking reporters to introduce themselves at press conferences.
What was said
Murphy said, “I’m sorry I played that underdog card. I probably shouldn’t have played that, used that as an excuse for why we didn’t play well. I don’t care who the underdog is. I don’t care who the favorite is. It’s about getting in the ring and fighting it out.” He also used boxing metaphors, noting that familiarity with an opponent can help: “You fight a guy once and you fight him the second time, you should have a better idea. Everything’s different. The guy is a little different that you’re fighting the second time, even though it’s the same person.”
How it came about
Murphy’s remarks follow a season in which the Brewers finished with a franchise‑record 103 wins and secured the best regular‑season record in baseball. The team entered the NLCS after a strong postseason run, while the Dodgers, who swept the Brewers in the 2025 NLCS, are seeking to repeat as World Series champions. Earlier Felo News coverage noted that the Dodgers will start Tarik Skubal in Game 1, a pitcher the Brewers once pursued before trading him in August.
Key facts
- Pat Murphy apologised for last year’s underdog comments before Game 1 of the NLCS. (nypost.com)
- Murphy said the Brewers want to "kick their butts" against the Dodgers. (nypost.com)
- The Brewers finished the regular season with a franchise‑record 103 wins. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “Brewers still underdogs against Dodgers — but with new attitude”
