Milwaukee – In the bottom of the 12th inning of Game 4, the Brewers were up 3-2 and just three outs away from clinching the franchise’s first World Series title. After exhausting much of the bullpen, manager Pat Murphy made the controversial call to keep the pending Cy Young Award winner Jacob Misiorowski in the dugout and bring in reliever Shane Drohan.
Decision and immediate outcome
Drohan, who had struggled earlier in the game, failed to record an out, and the Rays rallied to force a Game 5 at Tropicana Field. Murphy explained after the game that Misiorowski, who was slated to start Game 5, was not an option in that moment. “You can’t blow that type of situation on a one‑run lead on the road,” Murphy said. “If we were in the 13th inning and had a three‑run lead, that might be a little bit different, and I probably still wouldn’t have.”
Fan reaction on social media
The move ignited a flurry of comments on X. One user wrote, “I’m not crazy for thinking that the Brewers should have put in Misiorowski to start the inning, right? You need three outs, go use your best arm to get them.” Another added, “Not sure it gets as utter woke nonsense as saving the best pitcher in the world for a hypothetical Game 5 where you’d still be up 3‑1.” A third user sarcastically noted, “Wouldn’t have needed a Game 5, congrats on out‑thinking yourself.”
Opposing voices argued the decision made sense. One commenter said, “They had a 3‑0 game lead. No reason to throw Misiorowski in this game,” while a Rays fan warned, “What if he had and Tampa still won? He would have lost him for at least Game 5.”
Misiorowski’s season performance
Misiorowski entered the series with a league‑leading 1.80 ERA, 252 strikeouts and a 13.0 K/9 rate, all tops in the majors. Although his October numbers were slightly higher—2.70 ERA with 14 strikeouts over 13.1 innings across three starts—he remained a dominant force. Had he been used in the 12th, the Brewers risked losing him for the crucial Game 5, and potentially a needed Game 6 at home.
Brewers’ bullpen usage
Milwaukee relied heavily on its bullpen throughout the game. Starter Dustin May lasted only three innings. Trevor Megill faced a single batter in the eighth, and Aaron Ashby, who had not allowed a run in 18 innings, started the ninth before being pulled after recording one out in the 11th. In total, seven relievers saw action before Drohan entered.
Looking ahead
The Rays capitalized on an early error, delivering four straight hits to tie the game and send it to extra innings. Game 5 is scheduled for Wednesday night at Tropicana Field, with Misiorowski expected to take the mound for Milwaukee. The decision to preserve his arm may prove prudent if the series extends to a decisive Game 6 on home turf.
As the Brewers and Rays prepare for the next showdown, the debate over managerial strategy underscores the high stakes of World Series baseball and the fine line between risk and reward.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
