The Brewers have one eye on the World Series, but Brandon Woodruff may be the name that really changes their October ceiling.
Milwaukee is up 2-0 on the Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, and the matchup now shifts back to Dodger Stadium for Game 3. That’s a strong spot to be in, but it’s hardly time to breathe easy against a Los Angeles team that is still very much alive in the series.
Woodruff, meanwhile, gave Milwaukee a small but meaningful development on Tuesday. He threw a bullpen session at Dodger Stadium and shared where things stand with his shoulder injury, according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
“Brandon Woodruff threw a 31-pitch bullpen this afternoon at Dodger Stadium. The intent is being ramped up, and facing batters could be next.
How’s the stuff? ‘If you ask me, it’s pretty good,'” Hogg reported on X, formerly Twitter.
That kind of step matters. Woodruff would most likely be used out of the bullpen if he comes back, since there probably isn’t enough time for him to build back up as a starter. But throwing 31 pitches is a real sign of progress, and if he can get through the next step by facing batters without a setback, a World Series activation starts to look possible.
For Milwaukee, though, the priority remains the same: handle the Dodgers first. The Brewers have the edge, but they know Los Angeles is not the kind of team that disappears quietly.
Game 3 is set for 8 PM ET.
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