Milwaukee Brewers News Roundup — October 3, 2026

The Brewers open their NLDS against the Padres tonight with Jacob Misiorowski, the National League's Cy Young favorite, taking the mound against San Diego's Robbie Ray. Milwaukee enters the series as baseball's best team after a strong finish to the regular season, though the Padres dominated their August matchup with a three-game sweep at home.

Manager Pat Murphy's Game 1 lineup reflects a strategic approach to late-game matchups, starting Christian Yelich as designated hitter and benching Andrew Vaughn despite his recent return from injury. The Brewers' roster construction emphasizes pitching depth, with 13 pitchers on the 26-man roster including left-hander Kyle Harrison and an extra arm that allowed them to depart from the typical 12-pitcher format for best-of-five series. The six left-handed pitchers give Milwaukee a potential advantage against San Diego's right-heavy lineup.

Jake Bauers, who has posted career highs this season with 26 home runs and 86 RBIs, expressed confidence that his mental approach to staying present will serve him well in October. Bauers nearly retired after 2024 but emerged as a leader on this Brewers team, crediting a shift toward accepting results rather than forcing outcomes. The Padres made a last-minute roster adjustment, replacing Walker Buehler with Randy Vasquez after Buehler was placed on the paternity list, which could affect their pitching plans for the first two games.

Brandon Woodruff, sidelined since July with shoulder inflammation, will not be available until at least the World Series. Rather than undergo surgery, Woodruff chose rehabilitation after seeing improvement in a pre-surgery evaluation, accepting a qualifying offer to remain with Milwaukee and prioritize postseason availability over early-season health.