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The Brewers needed 61 players (a franchise high) to lead them to the playoffs, and they’ll get 26 for the NLDS.
Selecting the deepest set of players to get the team through the worst-case scenario is vital, as David Stearns explained in a recent interview with MLB’s Adam McCalvy. The Brewers’ regular-season roster of 61 suggests they’ll need all of their impressive depth.
This leaves them with a mostly defined list with a few tough decisions to make. It’s a cliché for a reason – too much depth is a good problem to have.
Here’s a look at a likely NLDS list, zooming in to where Brewers have more interesting choices to make:
C: Omar Narváez, Manny Piña
1B: Rowdy Tellez, Daniel Vogelbach
2B: Kolten Wong
SS: Willy Adames
3B: Eduardo Escobar, Luis Urías
FROM: Christian Yelich, Lorenzo Cain, Avisaíl García, Jackie Bradley Jr., Tyrone Taylor
Utility: Jace Peterson
SP: Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Freddy Peralta, Adrian Houser
Lead: Eric Lauer, Brent Suter, Hunter Strickland, Brad Boxberger, Jake Cousins, Aaron Ashby, Daniel Norris, Josh Hader
Bench
The best way to understand how deep the Brewers have on their roster to start the playoffs is to imagine their most likely NLDS bench:
Manny Piña is a steadfast defensive pillar who owns an .892 OPS after the All-Star Break, even with a few batting appearances in the backup receiver’s spot behind All-Star receiver Omar Narváez.
Daniel Vogelbach, like Piña, can ramp up even with few hitters. It is also useful against right handed pitch, slash, .239 / .375 / .413.
Luis Urias Ironically finds himself on the playoff bench as he is the regular season point guard at the start of the game. He harnessed his power potential with 23 home runs this season, and he’s reduced 0.266 / 0.367 / 0.483 since the All-Star Break.
Jackie Bradley, Jr. has been absent offensively all season, but he provides a vital defensive replacement for Avisaíl García during tight moments in the playoffs at the end of the inning.
Tyrone taylor earned an outfield berth in the playoffs, though the Brewers will bet on the magic of October Yelich. Taylor is particularly effective against lefties, cutting .298 .337 / .500).
Jace peterson has been arguing lately, but has been one of the most consistent contributors for most of the season. He had a .391 OBP and an .821 OPS before September.
Fourth rotation point
The question is Lauer or Houser, and the answer is Lauer or Houser. Both pitchers have had impressive seasons and either could be in fourth rotational spot.
Adrien houser (3.22 ERA / 4.74 xERA / 4.33 FIP; 35.6% hard knocks; 0.76 HR / 9; 6.8% K-BB)
Eric lauer (3.19 ERA / 3.89 xERA / 4.04 FIP; 37.1% hard knocks; 1.21 HR / 9; 15.5% K-BB)
If you have to pick one against the Atlanta roster (and ideally, with Burnes / Woodruff / Peralta in the best of a five-game series, you don’t have to), I give Adrian Houser the l advantage over Lauer for the series. The crew encountered a heavy formation of right-handed people who lean heavily on the long balloon. Lauer has surrendered nearly all of his home runs to right-handed hitters this season. This means Lauer can play in tandem or play a vital role in the bullpen.
Elevator enclosure
The Brewers are already facing the battles of the relievers with Devin Williams in the eighth inning for what will likely be the entire playoffs. They are far from the worst case scenario, however. They have plenty of viable options to bridge the gap with Josh Hader, who signaled the end of the game if the Brewers have the lead.
Strickland Hunter has a 1.73 ERA with the Brewers, and he’s been effective in closing innings with legacy runners since arriving in Milwaukee. A veteran with playoff experience, Strickland is ready for October pressure. The Brewers have taken him out of a traffic jam many times this season, and he could potentially hold off the eighth inning for the crew.
Brent Suter finished the regular season with a 3.07 ERA. With a ground ball rate of 52.6%, he’s still the most effective in low-leverage situations, but the Brewers have effectively employed Suter in a variety of situations this season.
Brad Boxberger is another veteran presence with playoff experience. He’s also another brewer who struggled through September (10.80 ERA during the month, as opposed to his 2.40 ERA through August). Still, all of Box’s work suggests he’s more than ready to play a vital role in the bullpen, including maintaining the eighth inning when needed.
Jake cousins could also line up the eighth inning or play some other big role in the bullpen that is, if he’s fully recovered from what was supposed to be a minor bicep injury. He has a 2.70 ERA, 13.20 strikeouts per nine innings and a K rate of 35.2%. Although inexperienced in the playoffs, he performed well in the high-leverage moments during the regular season.
Aaron Ashby has a 1.78 ERA with a 0.79 WHIP outside of his disastrous first appearance against the Cubs. Like Cousins, he’s a rookie who hasn’t been tested in the playoffs. Still, his ability to rally into such an exciting and dominant pitcher after such a tough start will earn him a few innings in the playoffs.
Daniel norris The Brewers will likely want to carry another southpaw with an extra spot in the roster, and Norris gets the pick over injury-prone Brett Anderson. Norris, however, has not been able to achieve success or live up to his potential with the Brewers. With Norris’ 6.64 ERA, this is a choice that prioritizes injury prevention and other things over recent experience and performance. The Brewers won’t put Norris on the mound outside of a low-leverage or worst-case scenario.
The Brewers have until 10 a.m. Friday to post their roster ahead of the afternoon game that kicks off the series. In Craigtember fashion, they will probably use it.
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