The Brewers have a chance to leave Saturday afternoon with a series win, but they’ll have to do it with a lineup that keeps changing by the hour.
Milwaukee entered the game at 60-37, while Miami came in at 52-46, and the pitching matchup set the tone: Max Meyer for the Marlins against Shane Drohan for the Brewers. Meyer has been one of Miami’s best arms all season, posting a 2.58 ERA in 19 starts and earning an NL All Star nod. Drohan has answered for Milwaukee with a 3.09 ERA on the year, and he’s been especially solid since sliding back into the starting rotation.
The Brewers also had to navigate a few roster hits before first pitch. Sal Frelick went on the IL with a shoulder injury after leaving last night’s game early, and Blake Perkins was brought up from Triple-A to take his place.
Then came the latest blow: Brandon Woodruff announced that he will need shoulder surgery for a second time in three years, ending his 2026 season. Even with diminished stuff, Woodruff still managed a 2.98 ERA in nine starts this year, a reminder that he could still get outs when healthy.
Milwaukee’s lineup took another hit late when Brice Turang was scratched because of right foot soreness. Pat Murphy said pregame to “stay tuned” after Turang fouled a pitch off his foot last night and the issue flared up again.
That opened the door for some reshuffling. Jake Bauers moved into the 3-hole, Luis Lara got the start in right field and hit sixth with Frelick out, Braden Shewmake stepped in at second base and batted eighth, and Joey Ortiz handled third base while batting ninth.
Miami made its own adjustments, with Otto Lopez, Heriberto Hernandez, and Kyle Stowers at the top of the order. Xavier Edwards, Javier Sanoja, and Liam Hicks filled out the middle, while Leo Jimenez, old friend Esteury Ruiz, and Joe Mack rounded out the bottom of the Marlins lineup.
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