Brewers-Padres NLDS – Down 2-0, the Padres return to San Diego for a must-win Game 3 against a Brewers team hunting for their first postseason road victory since 2018.
The math is unforgiving, and the San Diego Padres know it. After dropping the first two games of the National League Division Series in Milwaukee, they head home for Tuesday’s Game 3 facing a stark reality: win or their season ends.
“Win-or-go-home games from here on out, so yeah, we have no choice,” second baseman Jake Cronenworth said. History leans heavily toward the visitors; teams holding a 2-0 lead in a best-of-five series have advanced 89% of the time. and in the current 2-2-1 format. that success rate climbs to 92%. Only one team has erased an 0-2 deficit in this round since 2017.
For the Brewers, the situation is a test of their own composure. While they showed their resilience by winning 42 regular-season games in come-from-behind fashion. they bring an 11-game postseason road losing streak into San Diego. That slide is the second-longest in history, trailing only the 12-game streak endured by the Senators/Twins between 1925 and 1987. Their last victory away from home in October was a 4-0 win against Walker Buehler in the 2018 NLCS.
“We know what our strengths are and we know how to support each other,” said Jackson Chourio, who has driven in multiple runs in each of the first two games. “So I think everyone’s rooting for each other in there. Everyone’s supporting each other and we know how to win.”
Tuesday’s matchup at 8:30 p.m. CT (6:30 p.m. PT) will be broadcast on FS1, FOX Deportes, and FOX ONE.
The mound battle features two pitchers looking to stabilize their respective clubs. RHP Dustin May takes the ball for Milwaukee, armed with a 3.14 ERA in 16 career games against the Padres. Though May struggled late in the season. admitting. “It sucks to be sucking right now. ” the Brewers are counting on his 1.23 ERA against San Diego this year to snap that road drought. Facing him is Nick Pivetta. who has posted a 1.64 ERA over five starts since returning from a flexor strain in his right elbow. Rookie catcher Ethan Salas, who has caught Pivetta throughout his late-season rehab, will be behind the plate.
The Brewers are adjusting their lineup for the contest. with Joey Ortiz starting at third base and Jake Bauers moving into the No. 2 spot. The Padres have shifted Jackson Merrill to the No. 2 position for the first time since July 20. while Samad Taylor steps in at designated hitter after Gavin Sheets was a late scratch with a stiff neck. Luis Campusano, who dealt with a bruised hand in Game 2, is cleared to play.
Both teams have spent the travel day resetting their bullpens. Milwaukee’s relief corps has been lights out, combining for nine scoreless innings across the first two games. They retain fresh options in Robert Gasser, Shane Drohan, and Kyle Harrison. For San Diego. Mason Miller remains the anchor at the back end. with Adrian Morejon. Bradgley Rodriguez. Jason Adam. and Yuki Matsui ready for high-leverage spots. Michael King and the recently returned Walker Buehler also loom as potential arms.
Individual form will be at a premium tonight. Chourio’s .958 OPS through the first two games puts him within striking distance of Ryan Braun’s franchise postseason record of 16 RBIs; Chourio currently sits at 15. Conversely. Milwaukee’s Brice Turang and San Diego’s Austin Hays are looking for their first hits of the series. both sitting at 0-for-7. While San Diego’s Ty France has provided a spark with seven hits. the pressure to produce remains on a core group including Machado and Bogaerts. who have five hits apiece. as the Padres look to extend their season for at least one more night.
Brewers Padres NLDS MLB Playoffs Game 3 Dustin May Nick Pivetta