Jae C. Hong-Pool/Getty Images
Yesterday, in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series, the Milwaukee Brewers confused the baseball world when they pulled starting pitcher Wade Miley after he faced just one batter, walking Cody Bellinger on just five pitches. Right-hander Brandon Woodruff replaced Miley after his short stint.
Reportedly, this was Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell’s plan all along.
The plan was for Miley, who was on a short three-day rest, to force the Dodgers to roll out a predominantly right-handed batting lineup, only to face the left-handed Bellinger before Woodruff took over. Miley is now available to start Game 6 tomorrow night. This strategy makes sense, but it’s historically rare. Baseball Reference points out that Miley was just the second postseason starter to face one batter in MLB history, via For the Win.
This unorthodox move caught the eyes of MLB players and fans who were equally confused.
No. Seriously. Wade Miley is out of the game after one batter.
See, we have a picture and everything as proof. pic.twitter.com/HsAv2WcGgg
— SB Nation MLB (@SBNationMLB) October 17, 2018
back in my day starting pitchers went much deeper into games
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) October 17, 2018
Wade Miley's outing. pic.twitter.com/gxSZVzRQvw
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/MikeNapoli25/status/1052670851353595904
Wade Miley with the NLCS ceremonial first walk at Dodger Stadium today.
— Jon Weisman (@jonweisman) October 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/molly_knight/status/1052670937110212608
Interesting 🤔🤔🤔 pull your starter after walking lead off hitter!!! Explanation please______???? #NLCS2018 #MLBPlayoffs
— Shane Victorino (@ShaneVictorino) October 17, 2018
Wade Miley is done after one hitter. So… this tweet aged well. https://t.co/e0CplnvRYq
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) October 17, 2018
I am confused
— Tom Koehler (@TKREFRESH22) October 17, 2018
Another scoreless start for Wade Miley, wow
— D.J. Short (@djshort) October 17, 2018
A look at Wade Miley in Game 5. pic.twitter.com/vBVLVEB3Qy
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 17, 2018
The Dodgers would go on to win Game 5, 5-2, and pull ahead 3-2 in the series. They have a chance to punch a ticket to the World Series tomorrow night at Miller Park.
[h/t For The Win]