Rising star Jacob Misiorowski anchors the Milwaukee Brewers rotation against the San Diego Padres.
The National League Division Series is here, and it's time for the Milwaukee Brewers to show the world why they finished with the best record in all of baseball.
Jacob Misiorowski is set to take the mound in Game 1 on Saturday, Oct. 3, at American Family Field.
Similar to last year, the Brewers not only have homefield advantage in this series against the San Diego Padres, but they have it through the World Series, should they make it that far.
Logan Henderson has already been announced as the Game 2 starter, but everything else is a mystery from there as these teams could do battle through Friday, Oct. 9.
Who will Misiorowski face in Game 1?
According to Padres' AJ Cassavell, the team will likely go with Walker Buehler or Robbie Ray in the series opener.
Misiorowski's numbers are off the charts, and he's undeniably the best pitcher to take the mound in not only this series, but maybe the entire playoffs in general.
Buehler has been on a roll as of late, with the Padres winning 10 of his last 13 starts.
When it comes to Ray, he's been a bit less consistent, but would give San Diego a viable lefty to start the series.
Henderson is expected to face Michael King
After Michael King's Wild Card gem against the Chicago Cubs, the days aligned for him to pitch in Game 2 on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Henderson has been one of the most underrated pitchers in the league this season, so it'll be interesting to see how he fares against the Padres ace.
Nick Pivetta vs. Robert Gasser in Game 3?
There's a world where manager Pat Murphy goes with a bullpen game on Tuesday, Oct. 6, when the series heads to Petco Park.
Should he do so, that means Robert Gasser would likely be the first long-leverage arm used to replace who many expect to be Shane Drohan.
Dustin May remains an option, but saving him for Game 4 feels most ideal, depending on whether he's used coming out of the bullpen in either of the first two games.
When it comes to Nick Pivetta, he has a strong 1.64 ERA since returning from the IL but struggled big time against the Cubs, lasting only 3.1 innings.
Buehler/Ray vs. May in Game 4?
Cassavell believes that whoever doesn't start Game 1 will likely be the Game 4 starter, should this series make it to Wednesday, Oct. 7.
The Brewers could throw Kyle Harrison out there, but doing so on the road, especially on the West Coast, is a scary thought.
The trio of Drohan, Gasser, and May will have a huge role in these two road games; it's just a matter of who Murphy throws out there and when.
Game 1 rematch in Game 5?
Seeing as the series finale returns to Milwaukee on Friday, Oct. 9, that would give Misiorowski, and whoever he faces, five full days of rest, so there's every reason to believe that Game 5 will be a duplicate of the series opening pitching matchup.
