3 Brewers pitchers who could make surprise starts down the stretch as team rests rotation regulars

The Milwaukee Brewers have already punched their ticket to the postseason, and on Tuesday night, after clinching their fourth consecutive NL Central title, they guaranteed that playoff games will be played at American Family Field in 2026. While the Brewers still have plenty to play for over the final 10 games of the regular season, such as securing a first-round bye and potentially reaching 100 wins in a season for the first time in franchise history, they will also take this early clinch as an opportunity to rest their key pitchers, when possible.

It's a delicate balance, getting pitchers the rest they need before the postseason while ensuring they don't get rusty, but that balance often leads to a surprise start or two from less regular contributors down the stretch. A season ago, the Brewers relied on late-season pick-up Erick Fedde and returning southpaw Robert Gasser to cover late-season innings while Milwaukee gave extra rest to arms like Freddy Peralta and Quinn Priester.

Here we take a look at three arms who could make a spot start for the Brewers during the final weeks of the regular season as the team looks for opportunities to give extra rest to rotation regulars like Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson.

3 pitchers who could make spot starts down the stretch as Brewers rest key starters for postseason

RHP Coleman Crow

The 25-year-old Coleman Crow has had an excellent season in Triple-A this year, throwing 95.2 innings in 17 starts while maintaining a solid 3.76 ERA. He also recorded eight wins to just two losses, while showcasing his big-league-ready five-pitch mix. Crow already got his first taste of the major leagues this year, during which he made four starts and posted a 5.30 ERA, but could return for a start or two down the stretch.

Crow figures to be a part of the Brewers' rotation mix in 2027 and beyond, so giving him more big-league experience in low-pressure situations at the end of September makes a lot of sense. It helps that Crow turned in a 1.90 ERA in Triple-A during the month of August and tossed four innings while allowing just one earned run in his start on Tuesday night. Don't be surprised if Crow is covering innings in the big leagues late next week.

RHP Garrett Stallings

Stallings is the only name on this list who is currently on the big-league roster. The 29-year-old rookie has been primarily used as a low-leverage, long reliever in Milwaukee, but his 11 innings in the big leagues this year have been spotless. Stallings has yet to allow an earned run in the majors, while surrendering just three hits and picking up 11 punchouts. He also owns a 0.64 WHIP and recorded a three-inning save in the Brewers' 20-0 postseason-clinching win over the Cincinnati Reds last week.

Stallings worked as both a starter and reliever in Triple-A this year, posting a 3.78 ERA in 81 innings pitched. He features a six-pitch arsenal, but his changeup is his bread-and-butter pitch. Opposing hitters are hitting just .111 off the changeup, and Stallings has recorded eight of his 11 strikeouts with it. Stallings likely isn't on the postseason roster as things currently stand, and has an uphill battle ahead to change that reality, but Pat Murphy loves him, and a strong performance down the stretch certainly wouldn't hurt his chances of pitching in October.

LHP Colton Gordon

The 27-year-old Gordon was traded to the Brewers from the Houston Astros alongside Lance McCullers Jr. back on July 15th. When McCullers was DFA'd shortly thereafter, it became clear that Gordon was the main piece of the trade, which cost the Brewers prospect Jadyn Fielder, son of franchise legend Prince Fielder. However, since joining the Brewers' organization, where he has competed for Milwaukee's Triple-A squad, Gordon has struggled. In 10 starts, the 27-year-old has compiled a shaky 4.67 ERA while posting just 48 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched.

That said, the Brewers' front office clearly likes Gordon's profile, and it's possible they want to see how it plays at the big-league level before the offseason. Should the Brewers find themselves with a "meaningless" game down the stretch, after securing the top seed in the NL, giving Gordon, who does have major league experience, an opportunity to prove himself with his new club before the offseason could make some sense.

Other options to make a surprise start for the Brewers down the stretch are Gerson Garabito, Tate Kuehner, or Thomas Pannone, all of whom currently pitch for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. However, that trio's case for a big-league start before the end of the regular season is complicated by the fact that none of them are currently on Milwaukee's 40-man roster. The Brewers do currently have two open spots on their 40-man roster, but adding any of those three could complicate things during the offseason.

It remains to be seen just how much the Brewers will make use of their pitching depth down the stretch. As previously mentioned, it's a delicate balance giving pitchers the rest they need and keeping them sharp for the postseason during the final few days of the regular season. If rest is prioritized, expect to see at least one of the names listed above serve as a bulk pitcher for the Brewers as the regular season comes to a close.

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