In the opening game of the National League Wild Card Series, the Milwaukee Brewers’ bullpen, typically a strength for the team, struggled, leading to an 8-4 loss against the New York Mets. Manager Pat Murphy’s decision to take out starting pitcher Freddy Peralta after four solid innings and go to the bullpen backfired as the relief pitchers failed to shut down the Mets’ offense in the fifth inning.
Despite having one of the best bullpens in the National League during the regular season, the quartet of relievers allowed five runs in the fifth inning, leading to the Brewers’ 10th loss in their last 11 postseason games. The team’s bullpen, which had been dominant in the regular season, struggled to get outs when it mattered the most.
The turning point came in the fifth inning when several suboptimal defensive plays, hesitation, and lack of execution by the Brewers’ relievers allowed the Mets to take a commanding lead they held onto for the rest of the game. The Brewers’ offense was unable to mount a comeback, and the Mets’ pitching shut them down for the remainder of the game.
Overall, the game was a disappointment for the Brewers, who had high hopes entering the postseason with their strong bullpen. Despite a solid start from Peralta, the decision to turn to the bullpen ultimately led to their downfall. The loss serves as a reminder of how quickly things can unravel in the postseason and the importance of executing in key moments to secure victory.
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