The Brewers are heading to Tropicana Field with a 2-0 World Series lead over the Tampa Bay Rays, and that setup points directly to a familiar postseason pattern for Milwaukee. Every time the Brewers have gone on the road in a series this October, they’ve done it with a 2-0 edge. They’ve also stayed undefeated at American Family Field, which has shaped the way this run has unfolded.
That same road split has created another wrinkle in the pitching plan. Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson have only worked at home this postseason, while Robert Gasser, who is set to start Game 3 on Monday night, has done all of his pitching on the road.
Gasser was originally lined up for Game 4 of the NLDS, then got pushed up to Game 3 of the NLCS after what he did against the San Diego Padres. Pat Murphy used Dustin May in Game 3 of the NLDS and opened a bullpen game with Shane Drohan in Game 4 of the NLCS.
With Gasser starting Game 3, the Brewers are likely to lean on some version of a bullpen game again for Game 4 on Tuesday night. Milwaukee has not announced a starter yet, but if that plan holds, Brandon Woodruff stands out as the obvious choice to get the first crack at it.
Woodruff has come a long way in a short time. He last appeared in an MLB game on July 4 before battling back from a capsular strain in his throwing shoulder to earn a spot on the Brewers’ World Series roster. Now the next step is actually getting him into a Fall Classic game, and he has made it clear he doesn’t want that roster spot treated like a courtesy.
If the Brewers go to a bullpen game again, Woodruff gives Murphy a flexible option. He could open the game, try to stretch out for multiple innings, or handle a traditional relief assignment. He has experience in a range of postseason roles, and Milwaukee has plenty of reason to trust his competitiveness no matter how they deploy him.
Still, the best use of Woodruff would be right at the start. That’s where he’s most comfortable, and it also limits the uncertainty that comes with a veteran right-hander returning after four months on the injured list.
If he’s sharp, he might give Milwaukee three or four innings. If he’s not, the Brewers could turn quickly to someone like Drohan or May in the second or third inning.
There’s also the lift that would come with Woodruff taking the mound in a World Series game. He’s a franchise legend, and his return at the start of Game 4 would bring a real jolt to the roster and the fanbase. Whether that’s the move Murphy makes is still unknown, but the case for Woodruff as the Game 4 starter is right there.
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