The San Diego Padres extended their season by at least one more day with a win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, but must keep the winning going.
The Brewers now hold a 2-1 series lead over the Padres in the National League Division Series and will look to close the series out on Wednesday. Every game in this series has been close, and every pitch has been thrown within a two-run margin. The Padres placed Mason Miller on the paternity list shortly before Tuesday's game and Adrian Morejon was dealing with what his pitching coach described as fatigue.
The Padres snuck out a win in Game 3, and things should be slightly easier in Game 4. According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Miller and Morejon are expected to be available in Game 4.
The Padres are starting Walker Buehler, who was by far the weakest of their options going into the series. However, he has thrived in the postseason throughout his career and pitched well against the Brewers in the regular season.
Still, Wednesday's game could once again be in the hands of the bullpens. The Brewers have not announced a starter yet, but it's safe to assume that Robert Gasser, Shane Drohan, Chad Patrick and Kyle Harrison could all pitch in some capacity. The Brewers have not used any of them yet, and all of them are able to give them length.
Against the Padres' right-hand-dominant lineup, Patrick could be pitching in some big spots. Fortunately for the Brewers, they got out of Tuesday's game without using Aaron Ashby or Trevor Megill. Abner Uriber should have no trouble working on back-to-back days, so the Brewers really only need to get to the seventh inning with the lead to feel good about their chances.
The same goes for the Padres. They just need to give Buehler enough support to get to Morejon and Miller. They have not made an official move to get Miller off the paternity list, but will have to do so before first pitch.