The Milwaukee Brewers have a major pitching decision to make with their season on the line Wednesday night. After a 4-3 loss to the San Diego Padres in Game 3 of the National League Division Series, Milwaukee leads 2-1 and needs one more win to reach the NL Championship Series.
Manager Pat Murphy has not named a Game 4 starter, leaving Robert Gasser and Chad Patrick as the two reported options. Brewers broadcast reporter Sophia Minnaert reported that both pitchers could be considered for the start at Petco Park.
The decision comes after the Brewers surrendered a late lead Tuesday. Jake Cronenworth’s fifth-inning home run gave San Diego the lead for good, while Milwaukee stranded 11 runners despite collecting 11 hits.
Gasser would give Milwaukee a more traditional starting option. The left-hander finished the regular season 5-5 with a 3.87 ERA and 103 strikeouts in 109 1/3 innings across 21 appearances, including 20 starts. He also finished the regular season in strong form.
In his final two regular-season starts, Gasser allowed one earned run over 13 innings. His last outing came Sept. 25 against the St. Louis Cardinals, when he allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out nine over six innings.
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Patrick would offer a different approach. The right-hander went 9-4 with a 3.40 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 57 appearances during the regular season, including six starts, while recording six saves.
However, Patrick’s final regular-season appearance was rough. He allowed four earned runs on two hits and two walks while recording one out against the Cardinals on Sept. 27. He has not pitched since that outing.
The Brewers entered the postseason with a franchise-record 103-59 regular-season record and home-field advantage throughout the NL playoffs. The Padres finished 91-71 before sweeping the Chicago Cubs in the Wild Card Series and have now forced the NLDS to a fourth game.
Milwaukee will need to win Wednesday to avoid a decisive Game 5 back at American Family Field. Murphy’s choice between Gasser and Patrick will determine how the Brewers begin their attempt to close out the series at Petco Park.
