The Milwaukee Brewers leverage postseason veteran Dustin May to anchor their rotation’s third slot, banking on his high-pressure experience to stabilize the staff.
The Milwaukee Brewers already appear to have their first two starters lined up for the 2026 postseason. Jacob Misiorowski is expected to take the mound in Game 1, with Logan Henderson likely following him in Game 2.
Misiorowski is the probable National League Cy Young Award winner after producing the best season by a starting pitcher in Milwaukee history.
Henderson has established himself behind him with a 2.51 ERA in 93.1 innings over 17 starts.
Why May is a good option
The uncertainty begins with Game 3, but Adam McCalvy from MLB.com believes Dustin May will receive the assignment unless Milwaukee changes its plans.
The Brewers acquired May and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero from the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline. Milwaukee surrendered two premium prospects in a deal made with October in mind.
May has been inconsistent since a comebacker struck him on his first pitch against the New York Mets on Aug. 26. However, the Brewers recognize his postseason experience. That background contributed to Milwaukee targeting him after failing to acquire Tarik Skubal.
“The Brewers’ other NLDS starter, unless something changes, will probably be May,” McCalvy wrote.
“… while May has been inconsistent since getting smoked by a comebacker on his first pitch Aug. 26 in New York against the Mets, the Brewers value his postseason experience. That’s one of the reasons May was a top target after they didn’t land Tarik Skubal.”
Milwaukee’s starting options behind Henderson include May, Robert Gasser, Kyle Harrison and possibly Shane Drohan. May possesses considerably more postseason experience than the other three candidates.
He has made nine career postseason appearances, including three starts. May has recorded a 3.86 ERA with 14 strikeouts and seven walks in 14 innings.
Gasser has pitched twice in the postseason, producing a 6.75 ERA in 2.2 innings. Harrison and Drohan have not yet appeared in the postseason.
That difference makes May a logical Game 3 starter. His time with Milwaukee has already included several strong and difficult moments, but he understands the pressure surrounding important games and has World Series experience.
May has allowed more than three runs only twice in eight starts for the Brewers. His performances have been better than his 5.40 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 31.2 innings with Milwaukee suggest.
Gasser has also pitched well recently and could become the Game 4 starter. Drohan or Harrison could then enter behind him in relief.
May’s upside
The Brewers have clarity for Games 1 and 2. Game 3 presented the first significant question, but May appears to have emerged as the answer.
May’s postseason value begins with his familiarity with high-pressure environments. He understands how preparation changes during a series and how quickly one difficult inning can influence its direction.
His experience should help him control his emotions and remain focused when every pitch carries additional weight. May also offers the flexibility to handle a traditional start or work within a more creative pitching plan.
Milwaukee needs him to trust his arsenal, attack the strike zone and avoid allowing early trouble to alter his approach.
His results have fluctuated, but his composure and experience give the Brewers qualities their other Game 3 candidates have not yet developed in October.
