The pitching strategy that the Brewers must adopt in the postseason

The 2025 Milwaukee Brewers boast a strong and deep pitching staff, but lack a definitive ace who could reliably deliver seven-plus dominant innings. Still, each arm brings a unique set of strengths, and together they form a well-balanced unit. With that in mind, the Brewers may be best served by revisiting the postseason strategy they used in 2018, relying on shorter starts, playing matchups, and utilizing a strong bullpen. It’s a formula that has proven successful for several other playoff contenders in recent years as well.

Limiting the workload and exposure of Milwaukee Brewers starters could yield significant benefits

In the postseason, every at-bat carries added weight, each pitch is high-leverage, and the overall intensity is magnified. With that in mind, it would be in Milwaukee’s best interest to give their projected playoff starters meaningful innings, while also managing their workloads, limiting exposure to opposing lineups, and leaning on a fresh, dominant bullpen to finish the final 33-44% of games. Limiting the starters’ work to around five innings lessens the impact that that is almost always felt by having them face a lineup for a third time through.

Assuming the Brewers lock up a first-round bye and head straight to the best-of-five NLDS, which is by no means a guarantee, their likely rotation would include Freddy Peralta, Brandon Woodruff, Quinn Priester, and if they need it José Quintana, who struggled yesterday but has plenty of postseason experience. That would leave Jacob Misiorowski on the outside of the starting group, but it would give manager Pat Murphy valuable flexibility, allowing Misiorowski to be used multiple times in a series while limiting his exposure to opposing lineups beyond a single trip through the order.

For instance, Misiorowski could theoretically piggyback in a game one or game two, where Peralta and Woodruff both only go five innings or are pulled before facing the lineup a third time. Misiorowski would then be available later in the series, as well as Peralta for a potential game five, if needed. 

By utilizing this approach, the Brewers could turn to Aaron Ashby and, assuming he returns to full health, DL Hall to provide either length, matchup-based relief, or matchup-based 'opener duties', similar to what they’ve done with Prister at times this year. This would allow Milwaukee to preserve key arms like Nick Mears, Shelby Miller, Jared Koenig, Abner Uribe, and hopefully Trevor Megill (if healthy), for high-leverage situations later in games.

Back in 2018, this strategy proved effective for Milwaukee over the long haul. During their seven-game NLCS against the Dodgers, Wade Miley recorded the longest outing by a starter at just 5.2 innings. Brandon Woodruff, who entered the game after Miley faced only one batter, ended up facing the most hitters in a single appearance, 22 batters, highlighting the Brewers' commitment to flexibility and matchup-based pitching.

Other teams have successfully leaned on similar strategies in October. The Los Angeles Dodgers have carefully managed their pitching during both of their recent title runs, using starters like Julio Urías and Walker Buehler on short rest to record the final outs of their 2020 and 2024 championships.

With that precedent in mind, the Brewers would be wise to adopt a similar approach of when indicated planned shorter outings from their starters so that they can lean heavily on their top arms in the most critical postseason moments. Their best shot at winning the franchise’s first World Series could come from maximizing the impact of their most electric pitchers, whether that’s Peralta, Woodruff, or even a high-octane arm like Misiorowski. The idea of one of them recording the final out on baseball’s biggest stage would be a possibility with this strategy, and is thrilling to imagine.