Storylines to follow for the NLCS and ALCS

The Dodgers, Brewers, Astros and Red Sox made quick work of their opponents in the Division Series and are set to square off in the Championship Series. Here's a look at the storylines to follow during the NLCS and ALCS.

NLCS: Can Milwaukee's bullpen keep it up?

The Brewers bullpen has been spectacular this season, and that continued in the NLDS. The team had the fourth-best bullpen ERA in baseball (3.47) and allowed just two runs in 15.1 innings during the ALDS. However, that also speaks to how busy the relievers have been, particularly the trio of Josh Hader, Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress. After a long season, it will be interesting to see if the bullpen can continue its torrid pace.

ALCS: Alex Cora's return to face his former team

Red Sox manager Alex Cora was Houston's bench coach last year and made a smooth adjustment to managing Boston this year, with an MLB-best 108 wins during the regular season. The almost-43-year-old seemed to make all the right moves during the ALDS, and his return to Houston will certainly be a headline as the series opens.

NLCS: Can Christian Yelich continue his furious pace?

Yelich is the likely NL MVP and was particularly great after the All-Star break, hitting .367-25-67 with a 1.219 OPS. His performance wasn't too shabby in the brief NLDS vs. the Rockies, going 2-for-8 with a home run, two RBI, two stolen bases and six walks for a 1.196 OPS. He's the one player in the Brewers lineup opposing teams don't want to get beat by, yet he continues to do it.

ALCS: Can the Astros starting rotation by stopped?

Houston's starters had the best ERA in baseball this year, and their success continued into the ALDS with five runs allowed in 17.1 innings. Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole are both AL Cy Young candidates, and we didn't even see No. 4 starter Charlie Morton in the last series. While Boston beat up on the Yankees starters, Houston's talent is at another level after posting a 3.16 ERA during the regular season.

NLCS: Are Kenley Jansen's struggles behind him?

Jansen has had an uncharacteristically inconsistent year, finishing the regular season with an ERA above 3.00, the worst of his career. He looked fine in two appearances during the NLDS, but he had trouble late in the year, allowing a pair of home runs in his final appearance of the year against Colorado. At the very least, Dodgers fans don't have confidence that the game is over when Jansen comes in like they did in previous years.

ALCS: Will David Price's playoff struggles continue?

At some point Price's playoff struggles are a trend. He was bombed again in the ALDS, and the lefty now has a 5.28 ERA in 75 innings during his playoff career. The current Astros roster hasn't exactly hit him well in the past with a .654 OPS in 208 plate appearances, but the Red Sox can ill-afford for Price's struggles to continue.

NLCS: Brewers lefty mashers vs. Dodgers lefty starters

Milwaukee was the seventh-best hitting team vs. lefties this season, finishing with a .742 OPS. The Brewers' prowess will be put to the test against Dodgers lefty starters Hyun-Jin Ryu, Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill. Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain and Jesus Aguilar were all outstanding against southpaws, and their production will be key if the Brewers hope to move on to the World Series.

ALCS: Is Carlos Correa healthy?

Correa had a regular season that he would like to forget and was especially bad after the break, hitting just .180-2-16 in 37 games. His playoff performance hasn't been much better, going 1-for-10 with a home run. He battled back problems late in the year, and it's fair to ask if the Astros would be better off moving Marwin Gonzalez to shortstop and sending Correa to the bench.

NLCS: The play of the fabulous benches

Both the Dodgers and Brewers built depth via trade late in the year, and the benches have been key to their success. For Milwaukee, power bats like Domingo Santana, Curtis Granderson and Jonathan Schoop made nice late-season contributions and could be thorns in the side of the Dodgers bullpen. Meanwhile, the Dodgers have already gotten playoff heroics from David Freese and also have some scary bench bats with Matt Kemp, Chris Taylor and Brian Dozier.

ALCS: Should Red Sox fans worry about Craig Kimbrel?

Kimbrel might have caused some heart issues for Red Sox fans with his struggles while closing out Game 4 of the ALDS, and he finished the series allowing three runs in 2.1 innings. His entire playoff track record hasn't been great since joining Boston in 2016, allowing four runs in 5.2 innings. He's been one of baseball's best closers since 2011, but the poor control usually makes fans nervous.

NLCS: The Dodgers unfinished business

The Dodgers came up just short in the World Series last year, falling to Houston in an epic seven game series. The road has been much tougher than anticipated this year, but the team managed to claim its sixth straight NL West title. Anything short of a World Series win will be a disappointment for the loaded roster after making key in-season trades, including the addition of Manny Machado. Incredibly, it's now been 30 years since the Dodgers won the World Series.

ALCS: What impact will the benches have?

Boston's bench played a huge role in the ALDS, as Brock Holt hit for the cycle in Game 3 and Eduardo Nunez also had a big role. For Houston, Tyler White has continued his great hitting off the bench, and Tony Kemp has done well as a defensive replacement and pinch runner. Both teams have capable difference makers on their benches to impact the ALCS.

NLCS: Will Manny Machado add more money to his bank account?

Machado had a very good walk year, hitting .297-37-107 with a career-best .905 OPS while playing shortstop for the Orioles and Dodgers. At age 26, he could possibly be looking at a record-breaking contract this offseason, and he helped his stock with two home runs during the NLDS. More great performances during this year's playoffs could add to his already sky high value.

ALCS: Can George Springer continue his great hot streak?

No hitter was hotter during the Division Series than Springer. After a relatively disappointing regular season, Springer was 6-for-14 with three home runs in three games during the ALDS. He's historically been a streaky hitter, and the Red Sox should be worried if he stays hot after the long layoff between the ALDS and ALCS.

NLCS: Ryan Braun vs. Matt Kemp

It's a debate that's raged since 2011: Braun just barely won the NL MVP over Kemp, and many felt Kemp was deserving of the honor. Then Braun tested positive for PEDs but was able to get his suspension thrown out on appeal. Critics had a stronger case than ever that Kemp deserved the award, and the two outfielders will square off seven years later in the NLCS.

ALCS: Can Houston continue in its quest to repeat?

Despite winning the World Series last year, the Astros front office wasn't complacent, adding Gerrit Cole in the offseason and Roberto Osuna at the trade deadline, among other small pieces. The Astros had more wins (103) than last year and made quick work of the Indians in the ALDS. Boston presents a huge obstacle after winning 108 games during the regular season, but Houston has a great chance to become the first team to repeat as World Series Champs since the 1999-2000 Yankees.