The Milwaukee Brewers faced a setback in the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Chicago Cubs, losing 4-3 at Wrigley Field. The Cubs took an early lead, scoring four runs in the first inning off pitcher Quinn Priester, who did not finish the inning. The Brewers were unable to recover from this deficit.
Pitching Strategy in NLDS
Manager Pat Murphy utilized five pitchers after Priester’s early exit. Nick Mears, Jose Quintana, Grant Anderson, Jared Koenig, and Chad Patrick contributed 7 1/3 scoreless innings from the bullpen. Despite the strong relief efforts, Milwaukee could not overcome the initial damage.
Next Game Outlook
Milwaukee will attempt to secure a victory in the next game. The Brewers and Cubs have yet to announce their starting pitchers. Reports suggest that the Cubs may start Matthew Boyd again. In their previous encounter, Milwaukee scored six runs in the first inning against Boyd, leading to a decisive win.
The Brewers might consider starting Freddy Peralta on four days of rest. However, the team has previously favored giving starters extra rest throughout the season. If they decide to reserve Peralta for a potential Game 5, a bullpen game may occur.
Player Updates: Chourio and Hoskins
Jackson Chourio played eight innings in left field, finishing with one hit in four appearances. Chourio has been managing a slight hamstring injury, resulting in limited play in earlier games. His replacements in prior matches were largely precautionary.
Rhys Hoskins, an integral part of the team, has been observing the NLDS from the dugout. Although he did not make the postseason roster, he remains engaged with his teammates. Hoskins acknowledged his frustrations but has taken on the role of a mentor, supporting the younger players.
Impact of Injuries and Lineup Changes
This season has seen Hoskins sidelined due to a thumb injury, giving way for Andrew Vaughn to step up significantly. Upon returning, Hoskins struggled to find his rhythm, contributing only limited at-bats off the bench.
- Rhys Hoskins: .242/.340/.428 in 318 plate appearances before injury.
- Andrew Vaughn’s emergence has solidified his role in the lineup.
Looking ahead, Hoskins may face uncertainty as Milwaukee is poised to buy out his contract for $4 million instead of exercising an $18 million mutual option. While the Brewers could still include him in future playoff rounds, roster constraints may lead them to prefer maintaining outfield depth.
