The National League Division Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs is heading to a pivotal point. It takes place Thursday night at Wrigley Field, and honestly, the stakes couldn’t be any higher. After the Cubs stayed alive with a 4-3 win in Game 3, they are now looking to even the series at two and maybe even force a winner-takes-all Game 5 at Milwaukee. The Brewers, though, have a chance to close the series on the road and punch their tickets to the NLCS. They also have a game plan for this.

The plan: Freddy Peralta taking the mound for Game 4. And it is a decision that is turning heads, but also makes sense when you look at the numbers and Peralta’s performances. He was electric in Game 1, going 5⅔ innings and allowing just two runs, and he struck out nine batters. He is undoubtedly coming off his best season as a big leaguer. Even with four days’ rest, he has shown that he can perform under immense pressure. And this isn’t the first time he did so; he did it 12 times this season.

And this is why Packers veteran Mark Tauscher said, “If we don’t get it done tonight…we don’t know what we got…” There are a lot of variables, yet he is our best. You always want to have your best out there when you 𝘾𝘼𝙉. The chips are out on the table.” And it’s a sentiment that many Brewers fans will resonate with. Because, as much as Peralta makes sense, there are also reasons that make him a less likely choice.

There are risks. Brewers starters generally thrive with five days of rest, and Freddy Peralta’s road number, which is a 3.71 ERA, is not as great as his home number, which stands at a 1.77 ERA. Holding him for a potential Game 5 could also have allowed him to be a Game 1 starter in the NLCS if they made it through. On the other hand, the Brewers’ bullpen has been great, and so maybe, just maybe, alternate pitching plans could have worked if the team wanted to play it safe.

But here the objective of Pat Murphy seems to be clear—take the Cubs out before that Game 5—and the way to do that is to put your star ace on the mound. Now against him will be Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd, who was also on four days’ rest. He will look to bounce back after a rather tough Game 1. Now, for sure, it is a risky move, but it is exactly the drama the October games call for. Isn’t it?

The silver lining in the Milwaukee Brewers’ Game 3 loss!

The Milwaukee Brewers came up short in Game 3 of the NDLS. They dropped a tight 4-3 decision to the Chicago Cubs; sure, it is a close loss and tough. But there is still plenty to feel good about as they head to Game 4 at Wrigley Field. Milwaukee still holds all the cards, given that they need one more win to punch their ticket to the NLCS. Game 3 was decided early, as the first inning set the tone.

Milwaukee managed to get a run thanks to a sacrifice fly from Sal Frelick. But the Chicago Cubs struck back almost immediately by pounding out four runs, highlighted by Michael Busch’s second leadoff homer of the series and a clutch two-RBI single from PCA. Brewers starter Quinn Priester was pulled early, and that forced them to pivot from their original game plan.

But here is the silver lining: the bullpen responded well. Jose Quintana, Grant Anderson, Jared Koenig, and Chad Patrick all combined for a shutout relief. They allowed just three hits and a single walk after that rough first inning. Pat Murphy is someone you have to give credit to because his careful management ensured that no reliever was overworked. This left the pitching staff of Milwaukee all fresh as they headed to today’s game 4. Freddy Peralta will be stepping onto the mound, and you bet—the Brewers fans are hoping for nothing less than them cruising through this game.