Checkbook was opened, but can they close deal?

The disparity in the payrolls was the focus of the series before the first pitch ever delivered, the handiwork of the manager in charge of the small-market franchise that won more regular season games than any team in baseball.

- DYLAN HERNÁNDEZ COLUMNIST

ROKI SASAKI looked gassed in the ninth Monday night after pitching three innings in Game 4 of the NLDS.

(ROBERT GAUTHIER Los Angeles Times)

"I'm sure that most Dodgers players can't name eight guys on our roster," joked Pat Murphy of the Milwaukee Brewers.

If the preceding six months were a testament to how a team can win without superstars, the Dodgers' 2-1 victory in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series was a display of the firepower that can be purchased with a record-breaking $415million payroll.

The Dodgers won a game in which a confusing play at the center-field wall resulted in an inning-ending double play that cost them a run-and very likely more.

They won a game in which they stranded 11 runners.

They won a game in which the Brewers emptied their top-flight bullpen to secure as many favorable matchups as possible.

The Dodgers won because they had a $162-million first baseman in Freddie Freeman, whose sixth-inning solo home run pushed them in front.

They won because they had a $182-million starting pitcher in Blake Snell, who pitched eight scoreless innings.

They won because they had a $365-million outfielder-turned-shortstop in Mookie Betts, who drew a bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning.

Talent wins.