Brewers Start Ashby in Game 1, Peralta Set for Game 2 — Past That, It’s Very TBD
MILWAUKEE — As the Milwaukee Brewers embark on the National League Championship Series, their pitching strategy is already capturing headlines. The club has named **Aaron Ashby** as a Game 1 opener, and **Freddy Peralta** is slated to follow in Game 2. Beyond those assignments, however, the rotation remains uncertain amid heavy bullpen reliance and limited rest. Coming off a bullpen-heavy NLDS run, the Brewers now face a tougher test: balancing starter usage and reliever workload across a seven-game series. “We’ll pitch to pitch, out to out,” said youngster Quinn Priester, a voice that hints at the improvisational plans ahead. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Why Ashby in Game 1? The Case for a Bullpen Game
The choice to start Ashby is a strategic one: the Brewers intend to use him as an **opener**, rather than expecting him to pitch deep. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} Ashby’s regular-season roles largely came in relief, and Milwaukee is leaning on his ability to manage one or two innings while preserving depth in their bullpen. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Manager Pat Murphy acknowledged the challenge. The club essentially enters the NLCS with a three-starter core — Priester, Peralta, and Jose Quintana — and must adapt if any falter. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} As pitching coach Chris Hook put it, the Brewers must have contingency plans ready “if things go south.” :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
In Game 1, Ashby is expected to face the top of the Dodgers’ order and hand off to bulk arms like Priester or Quintena. Murphy pegged Priester’s chance to follow as “71 percent.” :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} This flexibility is crucial in a series with only two off-days.
Game 2 Anchored by Peralta, But Questions Loom
The Brewers have more certainty in Game 2: **Freddy Peralta**, their ace during the regular season, is penciled in to take the mound. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} Peralta led the National League in wins (17) and posted a 2.70 ERA over 176.2 innings this season. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
That said, Peralta has mixed postseason results, and his ability to provide length in Game 2 will be tested. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8} The Brewers’ staff, already stretched, hopes that he can eat innings and give breathing room to the bullpen.
With the Dodgers scheduled to send Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 2, Milwaukee’s margin for error is slim. The matchup is high stakes, and how Peralta performs could set the tone for the rest of the series. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
Rotation Beyond Game 2: An Unsettled Landscape
After the first two games, the Brewers’ pitching plan becomes murky. Neither Quintana nor Priester are reliable options to go the distance on short rest, and veteran **Brandon Woodruff** is unavailable due to a lat strain, putting him out of contention for any starts in the NLCS. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
Milwaukee may turn to **Jacob Misiorowski**, who delivered strong relief outings during the NLDS, including a four-inning effort in Game 5. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11} Other arms like Chad Patrick and left-hander Robert Gasser will also be pushed deeper into roles than usual. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
In addition, right-handers Tobias Myers and Erick Fedde, along with lefty D.L. Hall, remain built up and could be pressed into action. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13} The uncertainty underscores how much this series will rely on bullpen depth and matchups.
Challenges & Strategic Stakes
The Dodgers enter the series with full rest and a refined rotation: Blake Snell in Game 1, Yamamoto in Game 2, and Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow lined up for later games. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14} Meanwhile, Milwaukee must stretch its limited staff across seven high-leverage games.
The Brewers dominated Los Angeles in the regular season, sweeping all six matchups — yet this is playoff baseball, where bullpen usage and starter management become critical. :contentReference
For Milwaukee, every decision will matter: when to pull a starter, which reliever to deploy, how to preserve arms for a potential Game 7. Their ability to adapt may determine whether they can outlast a more conventionally staffed Dodgers squad.
Expert View: Adaptability Wins in Postseason
Analysts note that in postseason play, rigid plans are rare. Teams that succeed are those that can shift on the fly. Milwaukee’s offseason-style bullpen approach is risky in a long series, but it also offers flexibility.
As one commentator put it: “You’re not going to get through every game on plan; it’s about having options and adjusting.” The Brewers’ front office appears to make that philosophy a reality.
The Brewers’ decision to start **Aaron Ashby** in Game 1 and **Freddy Peralta** in Game 2 sets a clear initial framework — but beyond that, everything is open. The series may hinge on bullpen depth, matchups, and managerial boldness. Can Milwaukee navigate the risk and extend their season deep into October? The next five games will reveal whether this pitching strategy pays off.
For a deeper breakdown of inning splits, bullpen usage probabilities, and matchup stats, check out our full analysis at this extended pitching preview & projections.
