Brewers Make Pitching Decision for Game 3 Against Padres

The Brewers have turned to a familiar arm with the series on the line.

by Miracle Dimwesh

Oct 5, 2026

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy (49)

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers have made their pitching decision for Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres.

Right-hander Dustin May will take the mound Tuesday as Milwaukee looks to complete a sweep after taking a 2-0 series lead with consecutive dramatic victories at American Family Field.

The decision gives May an opportunity to help the Brewers finish the series on the road. Manager Pat Murphy explained that this type of postseason situation was part of the reason Milwaukee brought the veteran right-hander aboard.

“Dustin May will start Game 3 for the Brewers,” Murphy said. “Besides his postseason experience and success this year against the Padres, we brought him in to do that.”

May has previous postseason experience and has faced the Padres during the regular season, giving Milwaukee another reason to trust him with the series potentially on the line.

The assignment also comes after an exhausting Game 2 for San Diego’s bullpen. Padres closer Mason Miller threw 40 pitches in Sunday’s loss, including a difficult ninth inning that ended with Jackson Chourio’s walk-off two-run single.

San Diego will counter with right-hander Nick Pivetta as the Padres attempt to keep their season alive. A victory would force the series back to Milwaukee for a potential Game 4.

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy (00)

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

For the Brewers, however, the objective is much simpler. One more win sends them to the National League Championship Series and completes a sweep of a Padres team that entered October with World Series aspirations.

May was acquired for moments like this, according to Murphy. Now he gets the opportunity to prove that Milwaukee made the right call by putting the ball in his hands with its season potentially one victory from the NLCS.