Advertisement

Possible reason for Devin Williams' Game 3 meltdown has Brewers fans in shambles

Eric Cole
Eric Cole

Reviewing The Brew

Milwaukee Brewers v Cincinnati Reds / Justin Casterline/GettyImages

Without question, Devin Williams' complete and total implosion against the Mets in Game 3 will go down as one of the most painful moments in Milwaukee Brewers playoff history. Everything looked like it was going the Brewers' way and New York could not get anything going all game long. Then, in a matter of moments, the Mets had put four runs up and Milwaukee was sent packing not long after that.

Williams' struggles were mostly troubling because he had been so freaking good ever since he returned from his back injury at the end of July. In 22 appearances this season, Williams posted a 1.25 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 21.2 innings. How did a guy THAT dominant all of a sudden turn into a pumpkin when the Brewers needed him most?

One explanation could be that Williams was gassed or even not completely healthy. However, another explanation has been unearthed that is even more tragic as multiple sources seem to believe that Williams may have been tipping his pitches accidentally against the Mets.

Devin Williams tipping his pitches may have cost Brewers berth in NLDS

This is absolutely brutal assuming the Mets were actually picking up on the differences in Williams' setup, but it also feels like a logical explanation. While New York couldn't do much against Williams in the Brewers' Game 2 win, it stands to reason that they could have looked at the film and realized that he was telegraphing his fastball and changeup.

At the moment, we don't know if this is a recent development for Williams or even if the Mets were able to utilize this information during Game 3. However, opponents hit just .111 against Williams' four-seam fastball in 2024 and .162 against his changeup. In the series deciding game, Nimmo's hard single and Alonso's back-breaking three-run homer both came on Williams' changeup.

If this is truly the explanation for Williams' struggles, that is truly heartbreaking. The Brewers had the Mets right where they wanted them: with a lead and with one of the best closers in baseball on the mound. Unfortunately, Williams may have given New York a "get out of jail free" card and continued the Brewers' first round curse.

More Brewers News from Reviewing the Brew

Eric Cole

Eric Cole

I started my career writing about baseball covering the Atlanta Braves for SB Nation's Talking Chop back in 2015 which has since been renamed Battery Power. After years of writing for those fine folks, I made the decision to take over as Site Expert at House That Hank Built before becoming a full-time MLB Staff Writer for FanSided in 2023. Along the way, I have been a guest on multiple ESPN radio affiliates as well as 680 The Fan and 92.9 The Game to discuss Braves baseball and especially Braves prospects and was a long-time host on the Battery Power podcast. These days, I continue to write about the Braves as well as covering the Astros, Padres, and Angels with particular expertise with minor league coverage, the MLB Draft, and bashing Anthony Rendon when possible. When I am not writing about or talking about baseball (which is seldom), I am an avid baseball card collector (Maddux and Soroka being my primary personal collections) and I also collect shark teeth. All other sports are mostly dead to me as my Bills have broken my heart too many times.