2023 MLB playoffs Brewers vs Diamondbacks preview: Wild Card series pitchers, lineups, stats...

While it’s true that the Brewers are playing at home and have had five more days to rest than their opponent, it will likely count for little against a Milwaukee team that is no joke. Add to that the fact that it’s a short series and you’ve got yourself a very unpredictable series.

Brewers v Diamondbacks: The lay of the land

Where Arizona is concerned, the D-backs come into this one a little light-handed as reports have confirmed that Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly will not be available until Games 2 and 3. What that means is that the team will have no choice but to rely on rookie right-hander Brandon Pfaadt for Game 1. Of course, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as Pfaadt was in fact the D-backs’ top pitching prospect coming into this season. Moreover, we know that this is a player who can deal with adversity. Remember, the start of his MLB career wasn’t a bed of roses after he was demoted to Triple-A on two occasions. That now seems to be in the past.

As for the Brewers, Corbin Burnes is most definitely the man of the moment. Following three straight seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA, Burnes proved his worth once again by posting stellar numbers in 2023. Aside from leading the team in starts with 32, he also led the way in innings (193 2/3) while posting a 3.39 ERA and reaching 200 strikeouts for the third consecutive year. Consider for a moment, that opposing hitters have only managed to bat .200 against Burnes in 2023. To put that in perspective, he is one of only two qualifying pitchers - NL Cy Young Award contender Blake Snell is the other - to hold opponents to a .200 batting average or lower. This one is going to be lit.

Brewers vs Diamondbacks: What are the starting lineups?

Arizona Diamondbacks

If there is one takeaway from D-backs manager Torey Lovullo over the last month, it’s that he has a well-established approach when it comes to right-handed pitchers like the above-mentioned Burnes. On the other hand, the team does have some issues where third base is concerned. Evan Longoria has not been playing well at the plate of late, and quite frankly is normally utilized against lefties. With that said, he will start ahead of the left-handed Jace Peterson. Here’s a look at the starting lineup for the series:

Milwaukee Brewers

It’s got to be said that the Brewers turned things around down the stretch. This after all was a team that struggled to put runs on the board for a large portion of the season. Yet, once the team acquired Carlos Santana and Mark Canha at the Trade Deadline, as well as Josh Donaldson in September, that all began to change. Where omissions are concerned, it’s interesting to note that the Brewers didn’t list Garrett Mitchell on the Wild Card Series roster, meaning they will be going with Sal Frelick in center for the opener. Here’s a look at the starting lineup: