The Milwaukee Brewers have officially locked up the No. 1 seed in the National League, but while that sounds great on paper, there are some seriously unsettling questions about who’s gonna toe the rubber after Game 2 in the upcoming National League Division Series. Yeah, they’ve got their top two guys figured out, but what happens when you hit the middle of the series? That’s where things get real dicey.
The Bullpen Roller Coaster: Deja Vu For Murphy?
Remember last year’s NLDS? It was a wild ride. Freddy Peralta started twice, sure, but then we saw Jacob Misiorowski doing bulk bullpen outings in two separate bullpen games. And don’t even get me started on Quinn Priester’s “start” that was just a pure bullpen free-for-all in a series that went the full five games. Manager Pat Murphy had to lean on that ‘pen like crazy. The good news for the Brewers this year is they won’t even see the Wild Card Game 1 starter in their own Game 1 on October 3. That Wild Card series kicks off on Tuesday, so whoever throws that opener will be toast for the NLDS opener. But that’s where the good news ends for the pitching staff depth.
The Game 3 Nightmare: Gasser, May, or Just Pure Panic?
So, what’s the plan for this year? It looks like Jacob Misiorowski is slated for Game 1, and Logan Henderson will take the mound for Game 2. Solid. But after that, hold onto your hats. The most likely scenario has Robert Gasser starting Game 3, and then if a Game 4 is needed, it’s straight-up bullpen roulette, with Dustin May, Sane Drohan, or Chad Patrick coming in for bulk innings. If it goes to a Game 5, Misiorowski would be back on five days’ rest. The big decision point is Game 3. Gasser has been a total stud for the Brewers in September, looking sharp. But then you’ve got Dustin May, who’s got that postseason experience. Murphy might roll with May, but probably on a super short leash. Somebody, and I mean *somebody*, has to step up big time for these guys. It’s clear Murphy isn’t afraid to lean on his bullpen like a crutch if he’s not feeling good about his starter, just like last season. The difference this year is they’ve got Misiorowski and Henderson as reliable starters, where last year it felt like Peralta was the only one. But that depth in the middle games? Still a massive question mark.
Brewers fans better brace themselves for a combo of Gasser and May in Games 3 and 4, but more importantly, be ready for a heavy, *heavy* dose of that bullpen. This NLDS is gonna be a grind, and if they don’t solve this Game 3 problem, that No. 1 seed won’t mean squat.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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