The Milwaukee Brewers are closing in on history. Four more victories would give the franchise its first World Series.

To accomplish that, Milwaukee must defeat either the Cleveland Guardians or Tampa Bay Rays. The Brewers have several days to prepare and will not return to the field until Friday.

Before the World Series begins, Milwaukee must make one important roster decision: Will Brandon Woodruff be included?

Woodruff has continued building up behind the scenes. After the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers ended, the veteran indicated that he believed he would be ready.

He suggested that keeping him off the roster would be difficult and said he was in a good physical position.

The right-hander still has a few days to convince the organization that he is ready to contribute. Woodruff last appeared in a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on July 4.

He recorded a 2.98 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 45.1 innings with 47 strikeouts over nine starts this season.

Woodruff is a homegrown star and one of the primary reasons the franchise’s trajectory changed. The Brewers have become one of MLB’s most consistent regular season winners in recent years, but that was not always the case.

Woodruff and Christian Yelich have served as franchise pillars while helping Milwaukee reach another level.

This World Series appearance represents the culmination of years of difficult experiences, and Woodruff played a significant part in moving the Brewers toward this opportunity.

If Woodruff can successfully throw off a mound, it would be surprising if Milwaukee left him off the World Series roster.

The Brewers must determine whether to activate him and, if they do, which player would lose his spot. Fortunately, they still have several days to make those decisions.

Woodruff’s importance extends beyond what he could provide during an appearance. He understands the organization, has experienced its gradual transformation and knows what reaching this stage means to Milwaukee.

His determination to return after such a long absence reflects his competitiveness and attachment to the team. Woodruff is not pursuing an individual milestone. He wants an opportunity to help finish what he and his longtime teammates spent years building.

The Brewers would also benefit from his preparation, mound presence and familiarity with demanding situations. He has pitched deep into October before and would not be overwhelmed by the atmosphere surrounding the World Series.

Milwaukee must still evaluate whether his command, endurance and recovery are sufficient for meaningful action. Sentiment cannot replace readiness with the season at stake.

However, Woodruff’s experience and willingness to accept whatever role is available could make him valuable even if he is not prepared to start.

Including him would reward neither reputation nor history alone. It would mean the Brewers believe one of the players who changed their direction can still help them complete the journey.