Brandon Woodruff shares heartwarming story behind appearance in Game 3 of World Series

As if the Milwaukee Brewers' memorable run through the 2026 postseason, which now has them just one win away from the franchise's first-ever World Series title, couldn't get any better, veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff closed out the win in Game 3 of the Fall Classic last night to give the Brew Crew a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Tampa Bay Rays.

It was Woodruff's first appearance since July 4. In the time since, the franchise legend announced that he was set to go season-ending shoulder surgery, reversed course on that decision after seeing unexpected healing in his shoulder, and then underwent an improbable recovery process that left him only available for a return if the Brewers advanced to the World Series. His team held up their end of the bargain, and Woodruff, as he's done so many times throughout his career, held up his end.

However, fans were still unsure in what capacity they would see Woodruff in the Fall Classic when it was officially announced that he made the World Series roster. Some expected a low-leverage relief appearance for Woody, while others thought he may act as an opener in Game 4. It sounds like that was the exact decision Pat Murphy and the Brewers were mulling over as Game 3 unfolded last night.

As seen in the video below from MLB.com Brewers beat reporter Adam McCalvy, Woody was expecting to open Game 4 on Tuesday night, before Murphy gave him the option to close out the Brewers' win in Game 3. However, rather than use the bullpen phone, Murphy had athletic trainer Bryn Hester, with whom Woodruff has spent plenty of time throughout his rehab processes, deliver the question. Having Hester involved in Woody's triumphant return is a heartwarming acknowledgement of the training staff's role in what has been one of the best stories of the Brewers' 2026 postseason run.

Offered a choice, Brandon Woodruff elects to close out Game 3 of World Series rather than open Game 4

It's perhaps unsurprising that Woodruff elected to close out Game 3 rather than wait another day to make his long-awaited return -- it was clear that the veteran right-hander was itching to get back on a postseason mound, and waiting another 24 hours must have seemed like an impossible task. Though Woodruff did allow a run on two hits in what ended up being a nine-run victory for the Crew, he collected a World Series strikeout and encouragingly sat in the low 90s with his fastball. By all accounts, it was an incredibly successful return for Woodruff, who made his first appearance in a postseason game since 2021.

It's nevertheless interesting that Murphy gave his veteran leader the option of when he wanted to pitch. While the Brewers' skipper undoubtedly trusts Woodruff immensely and knows he would make the best decision for himself and his team, who starts Game 4 tonight is a more consequential decision than who would close out last night's blowout victory. Yes, having a 3-0 series lead makes the Game 4 opener decision far less significant than it otherwise would be, but it's still not a decision at the level of picking who earns the final three outs in what was a 10-0 game.

Regardless of how the decision-making process truly played out, which was probably more sophisticated than what Woodruff was informed of, seeing Big Woo back on the mound for a World Series game was a sight Brewers fans won't soon forget. Woodruff has been the heart and soul of the Brewers' pitching staff from the early years of his tenure in Milwaukee. He's given everything he has to the Brewers' organization and fought through rehab after rehab just for an opportunity to continue pitching in Milwaukee.

The Brewers owe a great deal of their recent success to Brandon Woodruff. His influence and leadership both on and off the field is undoubtedly a key piece of the Brewers' ongoing Golden Age. Now, Woody, whose resilience and dedication are an inspiration to everyone who knows his story, will forever have the memory of pitching in a World Series game.

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