MILWAUKEE — On Wednesday, the day before the opening of the National League division series against the Rockies, Brewers manager Craig Counsell laid out his rationale for not using a traditional starting pitcher in Game 1.
“For our team, largely, we’re trying to get away from what the word starter and reliever means, and that’s how we’re going to get through the postseason,” Counsell said.
For the most part, Counsell’s logic made sense Thursday as the Rockies managed just one hit off four Brewers’ relievers through the first eight innings. The Brewers’ bullpen induced 21 swings and misses in that span, one more than the most swings and misses by a Brewers’ starter in any game this season.