The Milwaukee Brewers are striving to fend off a series sweep by the San Diego Padres this afternoon, a matchup that not only carries the potential of a National League Division Series (NLDS) preview but also has implications for both teams’ standings. Despite the Brewers clinching the National League Central title recently, the team has suffered three consecutive defeats in this series. Nevertheless, the magic number for the Brewers to secure the top seed in the National League is now at two, thanks to a recent loss by the Philadelphia Phillies.
In an interesting turn of events, the Brewers have adjusted their pitching strategy by naming Chad Patrick as today’s starter in place of Quinn Priester. This tactical change seems intended to prevent the Padres from gaining additional insights into Priester, who is slated to pitch in the upcoming NLDS. Additionally, the Brewers have designated Bruce Zimmermann for assignment and brought back Carlos Rodriguez, who may collaborate with Patrick in today’s game as a “piggyback” option.
The Padres, still eyeing the National League West title, remain competitive. They are currently two games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the loss column, although realistically, for the Padres to clinch the division, both winning most of their remaining games and hoping for Dodgers’ losses are crucial. Dylan Cease will face the mound for the Padres today, reflecting their determination to maximize their playoff positioning.
The Brewers’ pitching staff continues to undergo reshuffling, but promising updates have emerged. Trevor Megill and DL Hall are aiming to demonstrate their postseason readiness during the upcoming Cincinnati series. Additionally, Jose Quintana is ramping up his preparations to be a potential postseason option. Recent bullpen sessions by both Megill and Quintana have fueled optimism about their involvement, though uncertainty about Brandon Woodruff’s status remains, pending a medical consultation.
On the batting front, William Contreras will rest, with Danny Jansen taking over catching duties. Christian Yelich will assume the designated hitter role, and Jake Bauers and Andrew Vaughn are set to start, with Bauers in left field. Andruw Monasterio takes the shortstop position, potentially vying for a postseason role over Joey Ortiz, who is enduring a significant offensive slump despite his defensive prowess. Monasterio’s recent impressive form, marked by a .991 OPS since August, strengthens his case for inclusion.
With the game slated to start at 3:10 p.m. central time, fans can catch the action on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin, MLB Network for out-of-market viewers, or tune into the Brewers Radio Network. The outcome could have significant ramifications for both teams as they edge closer to postseason play.