NLDS Game 1 Discussion: Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) vs San Diego Padres (0-0)

Milwaukee, Wisconsin - October 2: The Milwaukee Brewers, fresh off a week of rest and preparation, are set to begin their postseason journey in the National League Division Series against the San Diego Padres at American Family Field. The Brewers' ace, Jacob Misiorowski, will take the mound, as he leads the league in ERA (1.80) and strikeouts (252) this year.

The San Diego Padres will rely on veteran left-hander Robbie Ray, who has a 3.59 ERA this season and made 30 starts. Ray was acquired from the San Francisco Giants as a deadline pickup. The Padres utilized their top starters to defeat the Cubs in the Wild Card series, and it remains to be seen if they will rely on Ray as much against the Brewers.

Brewers manager Paul Murphy opted to start Christian Yelich, the designated hitter, over Andrew Vaughn due to the latter's recent toe and shin injuries. Murphy also revealed that first baseman Jake Bauers, if fully healthy, could have been an option at outfield, while Andrew Ortiz would have batted down in the lineup. Cooper Pratt is batting sixth in the starting lineup, marking his first time starting higher than seventh.

Pratt has been on a hot streak, hitting .315 with a .794 OPS over the last 28 days. The Padres will feature four left-handed batters in their lineup against Misiorowski: Dustin Harris (2nd), Jackson Merrill (5th), Ethan Salas (7th), and Jake Cronenworth (9th). In between, the Padres have several power hitters, including Fernando Tatis Jr, Manny Machado, Ty France, Xander Bogaerts, and Luis Campusano.