Pat Murphy Defends Decision to Rest Jacob Misiorowski
The Brewers manager opted to save his Game 5 starter after a narrow loss to the Rays extended the World Series.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Baseball
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Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy did not use pitcher Jacob Misiorowski during the 12th inning of World Series Game 4. The decision followed a 3-2 lead and preceded the Tampa Bay Rays forcing a Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Why it matters
The choice to prioritize starting pitching depth for an upcoming elimination game highlights the strategic trade-offs managers make during high-stakes postseason series. Murphy indicated Misiorowski was not considered an option for the save situation on the road.
Jacob Misiorowski recorded 252 strikeouts during the regular season with a 13.0 strikeout-per-nine-inning rate. Aaron Ashby previously maintained a scoreless streak of 18.0 innings before the 12th-inning collapse.
The players
Pat Murphy
Pat Murphy serves as the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers and is responsible for making all in-game pitching decisions.
Jacob Misiorowski
Jacob Misiorowski is a professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers who is slated to start Game 5.
Shane Drohan
Shane Drohan is a professional baseball pitcher who was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers to pitch the 12th inning of Game 4.
The details
Manager Pat Murphy selected Shane Drohan to pitch the decisive 12th inning, but Drohan failed to record an out as the Rays capitalized on a defensive error. The team utilized seven relief pitchers throughout the night following three innings from starter Dustin May.
Timeline
The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays played World Series Game 4 on October 27, 2026.
Game 5 of the World Series is scheduled for October 28, 2026, at Tropicana Field.
Season Trajectory
The decision to hold the team's starter reflects a growing trend in modern baseball to prioritize rotation stability over immediate relief options in lengthy series. This strategy fundamentally shapes the playoff picture by forcing managers to bet on the next day's outcome.
Jacob Misiorowski will start Game 5 for the Brewers, shifting the team's rotation depth for the potentially final contest. Fantasy managers and bettors should account for Misiorowski's 1.80 regular season ERA when evaluating the pitching advantage in the upcoming game.
The takeaway
Postseason management often requires managers to sacrifice current-game relief stability to ensure a stronger starting rotation for the following day. This high-stakes maneuvering illustrates how single-game outcomes in a series are frequently sacrificed for long-term probability.
Further reading
For more on post-season roster management, explore the Baseball section.
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