Whitney: Jacob Misiorowski. One pitch. The fastest throw in World Series history, right out of the gate. And then? A nail-biting, 3-2 escape act that had Milwaukee fans holding their breath until the final out. We are up one game in the Fall Classic, and the energy in this city is absolutely electric.
Terry: It was a wild start to the series. Trevor Megill digging deep in the ninth, striking out Jonny DeLuca with runners on second and third. That is exactly the kind of clutch relief work you need when the stakes are this high. But tonight, we look ahead to Game 2.
Whitney: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network! I’m Whitney, and this is your daily home for everything Milwaukee Brewers. Terry, you ready to break down Game 2?
Terry: Always ready, Whitney. We’ve got three big things today. First, the pitching matchup and who Tampa Bay might throw at us. Second, how the bullpen handles the load after last night’s drama. And third, looking at the injuries and what Brandon Woodruff brings to the table now that he’s back.
Whitney: Let’s dive right into the rotation. Last night was Jacob Misiorowski setting the tone, but tonight is about strategy. What’s the play here?
Terry: Well, Whitney, it’s interesting because we know the Rays are going to try to adjust. They saw Misiorowski’s velocity, but they also saw the rest of the staff navigate that jam. The question is: do you stick with the lefty angle or go right-handed?
Whitney: I’m thinking about Robert Gasser. Like we said yesterday, he’s been the steady hand all postseason. Do you think Craig Counsell goes back to him?
Terry: I think Gasser is still the ace, but there’s a nuance here. The Rays have a lineup that can punish mistakes. If Gasser is feeling his slider, sure. But if he’s missing spots, you might see someone like Dustin May or even Logan Henderson get a look to keep them off balance.
Whitney: That’s a bold move, sending May or Henderson out there so soon. Is that too much risk with the series tied up?
Terry: Not if you believe in the depth. Remember, we’re talking about a team that has 103 wins for a reason. Their starting pitching isn’t just one guy; it’s a committee. And against Tampa Bay, who has been dealing with injury issues themselves, maybe you want to wear them down early.
Whitney: Fair point. But let’s talk about the Rays’ side. They’re playing at home for Game 2, well, technically they’re the visitors here, but the momentum shifts. Who do they throw?
Terry: They’re likely sticking with a right-hander. They have some young arms coming up through their system. You’re probably looking at someone like Shane McClanahan... wait, no, he’s out. So maybe Kyle Harrison or Aaron Ashby from our side? No, sorry, those are Brewers. For Tampa, they’ll lean on their veteran presence.
Whitney: Right, McClanahan is on the IL. So they’re scrambling a bit too. This makes every inning critical. Let’s shift gears to the offense. Last night, the Brewers won 3-2. How did the hitters perform against that Tampa Bay stuff?
Terry: It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. Plate discipline was key. They didn’t chase the breaking balls early in the count. Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich were particularly selective. That’s how you win close games.
Whitney: And Sal Frelick? He’s been a spark plug all year. Did he make an impact last night?
Terry: He did. His speed creates problems in the outfield positioning. Tampa Bay had to be careful where they played him, which opened up gaps elsewhere. It’s a subtle thing, but it adds up over nine innings.
Whitney: Exactly. It’s not just about power; it’s about manufacturing runs. We’ll be back with more on the bullpen and the injuries after this.
Terry: Thanks, Whitney. Let’s talk about the bullpen. Trevor Megill just went nine innings essentially, taking over the closer role in a huge spot. How do you manage that arm tonight?
Whitney: This is the big question. Do you rest him? Or do you trust him to go another inning if needed? He struck out Jonny DeLuca to end the game. That’s confidence.
Terry: But you have to look at the workload. If you pull him, who comes in? DL Hall? JoJo Romero? Both are capable, but Megill has the experience. I think Counsell will try to save him for a late-inning save situation, rather than using him as a setup man tonight.
Whitney: That makes sense. You don’t want to burn your best option if you don’t have to. What about the injuries? We know Gavin Lux is on the 60-day IL, along with Quinn Priester and Angel Zerpa. How does that affect the roster construction?
Terry: It forces flexibility. With Lux out, you’re looking at Joey Ortiz or Cooper Pratt at shortstop. Both are good defenders, but Ortiz has more pop. In the infield, Jake Bauers and Andrew Vaughn are anchoring first base, which gives you stability.
Whitney: And the catching situation? William Contreras is the starter, but Gary Sanchez provides a strong bat off the bench. Is that enough depth?
Terry: It’s solid. Contreras is having a career year defensively, and Sanchez can hit any pitcher. But you always worry about fatigue. If Contreras catches four games in five days, that’s a lot of mileage.
Whitney: Speaking of fatigue, let’s talk about Brandon Woodruff. He was added to the World Series roster after being on the shelf since July due to a shoulder injury. What does he bring to this moment?
Terry: Experience. Pure and simple. He’s been around the block. Even if he’s not throwing 100%, his command and ability to change speeds are elite. He could be a swingman in this series, giving you options you didn’t have before.
Whitney: A swingman who can also start if needed. That’s huge. Before we get into our keys to the series, we need to take a quick moment to talk about how this show gets made.
Terry: We love doing this every single day, bringing you the latest on the Brewers. But keeping the show free and daily takes effort and resources. If you enjoy our analysis, please consider supporting us via the link in the episode description. Your help keeps the beatline rolling.
Whitney: Appreciate you, Terry. Now, let’s get to our keys to the series. We predicted six games back on Monday. Do we still stand by that?
Terry: I do. But it depends on Game 2. If the Brewers can win tonight, they take a 2-1 lead into St. Louis. That puts pressure on Tampa Bay. The key is getting early offense. Don’t let the Rays’ starter settle in.
Whitney: Agreed. Speed is the other key. Garrett Mitchell and David Hamilton can create havoc on the bases. If Tampa Bay is playing from behind, they have to be aggressive in the field, which leads to errors.
Terry: And don’t forget the platoon splits. The Rays have some right-handed specialists. Make sure you’re matching up correctly. Brice Turang at second base needs to exploit those matchups.
Whitney: So, my prediction: Brewers win Game 2 in extra innings. The bullpen holds on, and Chourio delivers the go-ahead hit.
Terry: I’ll go with a Brewers win, but in seven. The Rays will fight back, but Milwaukee’s depth, especially with Woodruff and the improved bullpen management, will be the difference. Six games feels right, but it’ll be tight.
Whitney: Six games, Brewers take the title. We’ll be here every step of the way. Thanks for listening to the Beatline Podcast Network. Rate, review, and share the show with your fellow Brewers fans.
Terry: Go Birds. See you tomorrow.