Unsung hero from Brewers' NLDS victory over Padres creates difficult lineup decision going forward

The Milwaukee Brewers' defeat of the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series was chock-full of memorable performances. Jackson Chourio's heroics, which included a whopping six RBI in four games, William Contreras' six hits and two home runs, Aaron Ashby's dominant performance out of the bullpen, and Garrett Mitchell's all-around strong performance in Game 4 highlighted the Brewers' electric 3-1 series victory over the red-hot Padres.

However, as is always the case in postseason series, there were a number of overlooked performances as well -- ones that were key to the Brewers' victory, but didn't garner the same attention as Chourio's walk-off winner in Game 2 or Mitchell's home run robbery in Game 4. This phenomenon creates a number of unsung heroes -- players who quietly did their job and, as a result, made necessary contributions to the team's success.

If the "unsung hero" was an individual award, outfielder Sal Frelick would be the recipient of the honor for this year's NLDS. The 26-year-old outfielder wasn't in Pat Murphy's Game 1 starting lineup, and didn't even see the field in the Brewers' postseason opener. However, rather than stew over that lineup decision, Frelick took it as motivation and proceeded to turn in impressive performances in Games 2, 3, and 4 when his number was called.

Frelick collected hits in each of the three games he played during the Brewers' series against San Diego. He scored two runs, including the game-winning run in Game 2, and drove in two more, including a huge insurance run in the sixth inning of the Brewers' series-clinching Game 4 win. Frelick also drew two walks in the series, stole a base in Game 4, and struck out just once, all while playing clean defense in right field.

The quietly strong performance from Frelick, who turned in good at-bat after good at-bat, creates a tough lineup decision for Pat Murphy and his coaching staff going forward. The young outfielder has certainly proved that he deserves to be in the starting lineup against right-handed pitchers, but what will Milwaukee do against the Los Angeles Dodgers' Cy Young-winning southpaws in the NLCS?

Has Sal Frelick earned a spot in the starting lineup regardless of the opposing starting pitcher's handedness?

The reason Frelick wasn't in the Game 1 starting lineup was because the Padres started southpaw Robbie Ray. Since the Brewers don't feel comfortable playing a hobbled Jake Bauers in right field, as they otherwise would have done against a left-handed starter, 21-year-old rookie Luis Lara, a switch-hitter, earned the start.

However, while starting Lara against the left-hander seems to be the better matchup for the Brewers, Frelick's performance in the NLDS and the two outfielders' regular season numbers against left-handed pitchers might make the Brewers think twice about starting the rookie Lara just because it gives them a right-on-left matchup. Take a look at Frelick and Lara's numbers against lefties during the regular season.

2026 regular season vs. LHP:

Luis Lara: 68 AB, .235 AVG, .278 OBP, .309 SLG, 4 XBH, 4 BB, 12 K

Sal Frelick: 88 AB, .205 AVG, .268 OBP, .273 SLG, 4 XBH, 6 BB, 10 K

Neither stat line is especially strong, but the point is that they aren't much different. If the Brewers want the value of Frelick's postseason experience and trust his bat to stay hot in the NLCS, electing to start him in right field against a southpaw doesn't necessarily sacrifice much, if any, offensive value. It should be noted that Frelick did earn three at-bats against southpaws in the NLDS, and went 0-for-3 with one walk.

There's no denying the value that Frelick's unparalleled effort and energy brings to the Brewers. Frelick embodies the Brewers' team mentality in so many ways -- he's always a tough at-bat, can wreak havoc on the basepaths, does the little things well, and plays excellent defense. His unsung hero performance in the NLDS, during which he accounted for four of the Brewers' 13 total runs, undoubtedly has Murphy and his staff questioning whether or not he belongs in the lineup regardless of the starting pitcher. With southpaw Tarik Skubal expected to start Game 1 of the NLCS for the Dodgers, the Brewers will have to come to a decision shortly.

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