There has been no greater strength during the 2026 postseason than the Milwaukee Brewers’ bullpen.

Milwaukee’s relief unit performed well during the regular season, but it has reached another level in October. In six postseason games, the Brewers’ bullpen has recorded an MLB-best 0.31 ERA with 26 strikeouts against six walks.

The relievers have not produced those results through limited work. Milwaukee’s bullpen has combined to pitch 28.2 innings in the postseason, finishing just short of averaging five innings per game.

That workload is nearly comparable to what teams expect from their starters.

Despite the heavy usage, the bullpen should be close to full strength Wednesday for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Abner Uribe has appeared in all six of Milwaukee’s postseason games without allowing a run. On paper, his workload could make him unavailable Wednesday, but that is not how the Brewers have managed their bullpen.

The day off Tuesday should ensure that Uribe is available.

JoJo Romero, Dustin May and Aaron Ashby also worked out of the bullpen during Game 2.

Ashby has pitched in five of Milwaukee’s six postseason games. However, the day off should also leave him available for Game 3.

DL Hall did not pitch during Game 2, meaning he will be well-rested Wednesday.

May appears to be the only pitcher used in relief during Game 2 who may be unavailable. He is currently expected to start Game 4 on Thursday.

However, unusual decisions can occur during the postseason. Cleveland Guardians pitcher Gavin Williams started Game 5 of the American League Division Series after appearing in relief during Game 4.

Even with that precedent, May remains the Milwaukee pitcher least likely to work out of the bullpen Wednesday night.

Uribe has carried the heaviest workload, but the Brewers have shown no indication that they intend to reduce his usage. Ashby and Romero should also be ready after Tuesday’s break.

Manager Pat Murphy should therefore have nearly his entire bullpen available outside May as Milwaukee attempts to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.

The Brewers currently lead 2-0, but the series has shifted to Los Angeles. Several teams have recovered from that deficit, meaning the series is not over. A Milwaukee victory Wednesday, however, would leave the opposition facing an almost impossible situation.

The Brewers cannot become complacent, making another bullpen-heavy approach likely.

Milwaukee’s relievers have handled demanding workloads through versatility, composure and trust. Each pitcher accepts that his role can change depending on the inning, matchup or condition of the starter.

That adaptability allows Murphy to pursue outs rather than save specific relievers for predetermined situations. The bullpen has repeatedly absorbed innings without losing effectiveness, protecting leads while preventing games from escaping Milwaukee.

Its depth also limits the pressure placed on any single pitcher. Even after extensive usage, the Brewers enter Game 3 with several dependable options ready to contribute.