Milwaukee Brewers: No Chase Anderson on Monday?

The Milwaukee Brewers announced that starter Chase Anderson will get skipped on Monday in favor of a ‘bullpen game’. Why?

The change in the Milwaukee Brewers rotation plans shows just how serious they’re taking the upcoming series with the St. Louis Cardinals, and rightfully so. The Brewers ‘Magic Number’ for the Wild Card sits at four. They have three games remaining with the Cardinals, and a three-game series with the Detroit Tigers on the schedule. Winning two of the games against the Cardinals clinches the Wild Card spot and allows the team to use a ‘bench lineup’ for the final games.

Why sit Anderson?

The decision to sit Chase Anderson against the St. Cardinals is odd. Anderson has a 2-2 record with a 3.07 ERA in 11 starts in his career against the Cardinals. He also has a 2.67 ERA in six career starts in Busch Stadium. However, Anderson struggled through August with a 5.61 ERA in 25 2/3 innings. He hasn’t made it past the fifth inning in a start since August 20th.

His most recent effort against the Cincinnati Reds on September 18th was especially rough. Anderson only threw 3 2/3 innings and was tagged for three runs. He also gave up six hits and two walks while striking out five.

Which reliever gets the ‘start’?

Well, we know Josh Hader won’t start the game. Jordan Lyles, Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes, and Junior Guerra are on the active roster and are capable of working multiple innings. It’s probably not Freddy Peralta because he’s only worked one inning since August 29th. Peralta is essentially shut down at this point.

Is there another reason the Brewers are doing this?

Possibly. This could allow Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell to test this strategy out in a playoff-like atmosphere without the ‘win-or-go-home’ consequences of a Wild Card game or actual post season pressure. Counsell can see work out a possible script for the post season without the risk associated with a one-game playoff or a five- or seven-game series.

The Milwaukee Brewers need to get off to a fast start to the upcoming series with the St. Louis Cardinals. Anderson has eaten up innings, but he hasn’t worked deep into games or posted consistent results in the second half of the season. A win in the first game of the series takes the pressure off the Brewers, and puts the pressure on the Cardinals. Counsell clearly understands that his goal is to record 27 outs and end the game with the lead. Piecing