With eight games left in the regular season, a degree of uncertainty still surrounds the Milwaukee Brewers’ starting pitcher plans for the playoffs. Freddy Peralta, Brandon Woodruff, and Quinn Priester are in as the top three guys. In the postseason teams don’t need a full starting five, but who will fill that fourth and final spot?
It seemed like Jacob Misiorowski’s to lose, and, well, he may have lost it. Postgame on Friday, another rough outing for The Miz, Pat Murphy suggested that the team is earnestly considering a Misiorowski move to the bullpen.
Jose Quintana has been a key cog all season, but the Brewers won’t get another look at him in the regular season due to a calf strain. While solid, Quintana can be hittable and lacks the swing-and-miss ability so critical for playoff pitching.
For now, Milwaukee has rookie Chad Patrick starting in Quintana’s place. He is slated to go today in St. Louis. If he takes Quintana’s other scheduled start, he’ll have two opportunities before October. Demoted in July, then relegated to the bullpen, Patrick has a chance to parlay them into an unlikely ticket as the Brewers’ No. 4 playoff starter.
Patrick could be Brewers’ best bet
It’s not like Patrick is a home run choice, or even the default. To be sure, he has competition. While implied, Misiorowski’s fate isn’t set in stone. Quintana could appeal to the Brewers as a veteran with postseason experience. Robert Gasser is very near a return and could compete for starts, though the plan seems to be using him in relief.
Milwaukee’s other forgotten rookie, Logan Henderson, could theoretically come back in time. Without a chance to build back, however, he seems unlikely to claim a starting role.
Which leaves Patrick, granted a chance to dazzle in two starts down the stretch. With fans, the one-time Rookie of the Year candidate has fallen from favor. There’s a reason for that. His first 13 starts (68.2 IP, 2.62 ERA) represent a clear divide from his last eight (39.2 IP, 5.22 ERA). To be considered for the playoffs, he would have to impress in his potential two-start audition. And the Brewers still might choose someone else.
But the opening is there. With how the cookie has crumbled – Quintana hurt, Misiorowski a little lost – Murphy will have no choice but to consider Patrick if he pitches well.
Patrick last took the mound as a starter on September 9. He has done the job in two relief appearances, whiffing four in two scoreless innings. Despite the clear division, his season stats are solid: a 3.64 ERA in 111.1 IP, 116 strikeouts. He is also one of four Brewers pitchers to crack 100 innings. His outing 11 days ago ended a nine-start streak of five-plus innings every time. Even as he has struggled, he’s provided innings.
In his favor, Quintana, perhaps his main competition at this point, has also had a rocky go of late. Throw out his four April starts and Quintana has an ERA of 4.58. In his last four? 7.40. Patrick might not be a popular choice, but he has certainly earned a chance.
For More Great Wisconsin Content
Follow me on X at @ezsniper14 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
