The San Diego Padres secured a huge 4-3 victory when the 2026 National League Division Series shifted to Petco Park.

For Milwaukee Brewers fans, this was an almost expected loss as they've now dropped 12 straight road games in the postseason, which is the longest drought in MLB history.

Even if they drop Game 4, they know they at least still have a chance to punch their ticket to the NLCS when the series returns to American Family Field on Friday, Oct. 9, for a winner-take-all Game 5.

In an ideal world, this series doesn't make it to Game 5, and the Brewers now know who they'll be facing with a 2-1 series lead.

Michael King had the Padres' best start of the series, by far, and then came out of the bullpen in Game 3 to secure an incredible six-out save with two incredible innings of work.

The Brewers were threatening, but King got captain Christian Yelich to ground into a game-ending double play with runners at first and second with only one out.

Here in Game 4, it'll be Walker Buehler taking the mound, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. Buehler, 32, is 9-6 this season with a 4.63 ERA.

This bullpen has been a bit taxed throughout, and there are still no guarantees Mason Miller will be back from the paternity list.

It's not like Miller helped them win in Game 2, but just having that presence in the bullpen changes everything. Obviously, San Diego would've loved to save King for Game 5, but it was all hands on deck, and they had to do whatever it took to extend the series.

Buehler has yet to pitch in the postseason. His last start came on Saturday, Sept. 26, when he went just 3.2 innings. 

Buehler was 1-0 in September, allowing 11 earned runs in 22.1 innings of work. He has a 1.35 WHIP this season and was a 0.9 WAR player, which was surprisingly his highest since the 2021 season.

The Kentucky native brings a ton of postseason experience to the table, which includes 18 starts in 19 overall appearances, though this will be his first with the Padres.

Brewers fans are expecting Robert Gasser to get the nod in Game 4, and most were shocked he didn't start in Game 3.

This could easily be a situation where Shane Drohan, Chad Patrick, or someone of that caliber is used as an opener, and then Gasser comes out of the bullpen.

Either way, Jacob Misiorowski should be saved to start Game 5, and going with Kyle Harrison is still extremely risky, knowing how poorly he's pitched on the West Coast.