Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy defended his decision not to use ace Jacob Misiorowski to close out a potential World Series-clinching Game 4. Tampa Bay scored two runs off lefty Shane Drohan in the 12th inning, beating Milwaukee 4-3 to force Game 5. Misiorowski remained in the bullpen but was never brought into the game. "He was willing, like anybody on our team is willing," Murphy said. "But you have to weigh [the factors]." Murphy opted to stick with Antonio Senzatela, who began the 12th, citing his experience and current form.
Using Misiorowski in an unfamiliar relief role would have disrupted the Brewers' Game 5 pitching plan. "Miz would have had to get himself ready," Murphy explained. "Now, these guys are starters, and they have to get themselves ready. It's not like just pick up the ball from sitting in your chair there and throw." Despite criticism, Murphy noted that his choices wouldn't be questioned had the Brewers won. Misiorowski, who went 16-5 with a 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts during the regular season, will start Game 5 on four days' rest.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing