The Milwaukee Brewers have a major rotation decision sitting in front of them as they prepare for their NLCS rematch with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Milwaukee already showed it can handle Los Angeles in the regular season, taking the seven-game season series 4-3. But that edge disappears now that the calendar has flipped to October. Both clubs entered the postseason with first-round byes, both got through the Division Series, and now they meet with a World Series trip on the line.
The Brewers’ challenge is figuring out how to squeeze the most out of their starters across the length of the series. Jacob Misiorowski is expected to get Game 1, barring a surprise, with Logan Henderson lined up for Game 2. If Milwaukee stays on that track, Misiorowski could also be used in Games 1 and 5, while Henderson could potentially come back in Games 1 and 6.
That leaves the middle of the series, where the Brewers will likely turn to Dustin May and Robert Gasser. Both started in the NLDS, but their order for this round is still the question.
May worked Game 3 against the Padres, going three innings and allowing two runs before exiting. Gasser followed in Game 4 and gave Milwaukee four innings while allowing one run.
The Brewers did not get much length from their rotation in the Division Series. Henderson’s five innings in Game 2 were the longest any of the starters managed.
Even with May’s playoff experience, there’s a case for Gasser in Game 3 and May in Game 4. Gasser entered the postseason on a strong run, posting a 1.67 ERA from Aug. 26 through the end of the regular season.
He also turned in the better NLDS outing. May’s experience matters, and pitching at Dodger Stadium should not be unfamiliar territory for him, given that he spent years there.
Games 1 and 2 will be in Milwaukee. Games 3, 4 and 5, if needed, will be in Los Angeles. If the series goes the distance, Games 6 and 7 will return to Milwaukee.
For the Brewers, a sequence of Misiorowski, Henderson, Gasser and May may be the cleanest path to getting through the series.
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