Until late Tuesday night, the Milwaukee Brewers had a smooth journey through the 2026 Major League Baseball playoffs. They secured eight consecutive victories against formidable teams like the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Tampa Bay Rays. Their success was attributed to a powerful lineup that had achieved 100 wins and a strong performance throughout the season.
The Brewers demonstrated remarkable decision-making under manager Pat Murphy, turning seemingly risky moves into game-changing moments. For instance, David Hamilton, a utility infielder known for his modest hitting record, hit a crucial home run against Edwin Diaz in the NLCS. Sal Frelick also made an impressive defensive play that changed the course of Game 2.
“RAYS STAY ALIVE IN WORLD SERIES, WALK OFF BREWERS IN THRILLING EXTRA-INNING GAME 4”
The Brewers’ pitching staff also excelled. Aaron Ashby set a postseason record with 18 scoreless innings, surpassing stars like Mariano Rivera and Kenley Jansen. Robert Gasser, though generally an average starter, allowed only one run over 15 innings, showcasing resilience.
Game 4 of the World Series was another dramatic chapter. David Hamilton, with just four regular-season homers, tied the score with another timely home run. Rookie Cooper Pratt gave Milwaukee the lead in the 12th inning with a homer. Yet, the bottom of the 12th saw the game slip away. Junior Caminero reached base on an error, and subsequent hits by Liam Hicks and Jonny DeLuca tied and loaded the bases. A high-bouncing hit from Ben Williamson resulted in the Rays’ victory.
This loss was particularly frustrating due to strategic choices during the inning. Antonio Senzatela started but was quickly replaced by reliever Shane Drohan, who hadn’t pitched much recently. Manager Murphy faced limited options as his top relievers were already used. Aaron Ashby, Trevor Megill, DL Hall, Abner Uribe, and JoJo Romero had all taken the mound earlier.
The decision to avoid using Jacob Misiorowski, who was set to start the next game, added to the complexity. In his post-game remarks, Murphy explained his rationale but admitted they’re prepared for “all hands on deck” in Game 5.
Murphy emphasized trust in his players, stating, “You can write it up and hope that they perform like the back of their baseball card, but that doesn’t always happen.” However, winning Game 4 would have simplified the path to victory.
The debate over using Drohan or risk Misiorowski persisted. Misiorowski could potentially have secured those crucial outs, making the decision for future concerns less critical. Now, the Brewers must focus on winning Game 5 with Misiorowski and continue to aim for the championship despite the setbacks.