San Diego’s bullpen just took a massive hit, and they absolutely cannot afford it right now. Closer Mason Miller has been ruled out of their do-or-die NLCS Game 3 against the Brewers for a truly surprising reason, making their tall task of avoiding elimination that much harder. This comes fresh off Miller giving up a walk-off hit to Jackson Chourio in Game 2, so the pressure is already sky-high.
The Real Reason Miller Is Out for Game 3
Turns out, Miller was placed on the paternity list shortly before Game 3’s first pitch. According to Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune, his wife went into labor on Tuesday afternoon, which was earlier than the family had initially expected. This means Miller is stepping away to be there for the birth of his first child, a move Kevin Acee, also from the San Diego Union-Tribune, reported he had no desire to miss. He can take up to three days leave, which also means there is no guarantee he will be back for Game 4 if the Friars manage to stave off elimination. Wandy Peralta is stepping in to replace him on the roster.
Padres’ World Series Hopes Just Got Tougher
The Padres are already fighting for their postseason lives in the NLCS. Without their flame-throwing closer, that fight just became a brutal uphill battle. Miller had apparently hoped his baby would arrive while the team was at home to avoid missing crucial time, but life, and babies, don’t always stick to the schedule. While it is obviously incredible news for Miller and his family, it leaves San Diego in a seriously tight spot on the diamond.
So, the Padres have to dig deep and find a way to win Game 3 without their closer. Can Peralta and the rest of the bullpen step up to the plate and keep their World Series dreams alive, or will this unexpected absence be the final blow to their season? They’ll need to figure it out fast.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply