Embrace Debate: Should The Brewers Have Used Jacob Misiorowski In the 12th Inning Last Night To Try And Close Out The World Series Rather Than Saving Him For Tonight's Game 5 Start?
Daniel Shirey. Getty Images.When Cooper Pratt connected on this 12th inning solo shot last night I think most people watching assumed we were about to crown the Milwaukee Brewers World Series champs.
Hey even the Trop scoreboard operator thought it was over.
Well, finally something went wrong for the Brewers this postseason, as the Rays rallied in the 12th inning to extend the World Series to a fifth game. With that, there are plenty of people out there questioning Pat Murphy right now for not bringing in their ace and runaway 2026 Cy Young winner Jacob Misiorowski for the final three outs to seal the deal.
One of the most fun parts of postseason baseball is the all hands on deck mentality where a starting pitcher is used in relief on short rest. The laws of baseball with arm rest go out the window in October, whether it's been guys like Bumgarner, Eovaldi, or Yamamoto who pitched tirelessly for their teams en route to a World Series title. The future is now with a championship hanging in the balance.
Misiorowski started Game 1 of the series, throwing 78 pitches good for five innings of one run ball. That would have put him on three days of rest in he came into the game there. Murphy opted to go with Shane Drohan, who failed to record an out in the inning. Miz was out there in the pen in case he was needed, but the call never came. Now instead of going for the jugular on Tampa with the best pitcher they have, the Rays have a glimmer of hope with another game on deck tonight. There are probably Brewers fans panicking a bit right now, wondering in the back of their head if that was their best shot. Irrational for sure, but you woke up today and weren't a champion yet.
I know it's easy to question why they didn't use Miz there and end it, but given the series situation I lean on the side of Murphy here. You're up 3-0 on the road, in total control of the series. The Rays have no clue who is starting Game 5 tonight, having used virtually everyone they have so far. Having Miz start tonight against whatever Tampa cooks up on the fly is a massive advantage for you. Plus factor in Miz hasn't pitched out of the pen all season. Keep in mind also Joey Ortiz makes an error on the first batter of the inning, allowing the Rays a free baserunner. This of course should have been out number one.
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The next batter hits a ground ball where the shortstop would have been if he wasn't at double play depth. Sure Drohan wasn't lights out by any means and maybe you wish a Chad Patrick was on the team instead of the human victory cigar in Brandon Woodruff, but not everything can be perfect. Could you have rode Senzetela a bit more past the 11th? Sure, but we can play Monday Morning QB all day here. I'm good not going with Miz there and saving him for today. Honestly it never crossed my mind watching the 12th whether Miz should have been out there or not. Yes, if he pitched that inning and blew it he still probably is good to start Game 6, but I think being loaded up for tonight is the better situation. Here's Murphy explaining the thought process, citing if it was a three run game in the 13th the decision making might have been different.
Last night was fantastic. While I want the Brewers to win this series, it'd be very exciting if they were able to push this to 6 going back to Milwaukee. Will be a tall order with your exhausted pen going against Miz, but hey for a guy who hasn't exactly gone deep in his postseason starts this year I've seen crazier things. If Tampa does pull this game off, they'd be the first team to be down 3-0 in a World Series and force a Game 6. Either we get the Brewers first World Series title tonight or witness some history from the Rays. Can't wait.