Brewers Face Tough Decisions with Struggling Ortiz in NLDS Game 4

Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL – As the Milwaukee Brewers prepared for Game 4 of the NLDS on Thursday, manager Pat Murphy invoked Shakespeare to emphasize the night’s pivotal decisions. He quoted Hamlet, saying, “To be or not to be, that is the question,” signaling the weight of the moments ahead.

With the postseason underway, the Brewers faced a recurring dilemma regarding shortstop Willy Ortiz, who has struggled offensively this season. After returning from the injured list in September, Ortiz posted only a .482 OPS. Despite this, the Brewers valued his defense and kept him in the starting lineup. Murphy often substituted Ortiz for more potent hitters in key situations, though this blend of offense and defense created tough choices.

The moment came in the fifth inning when the Brewers trailed, and Ortiz found himself at bat as the tying run. After a double and a walk, the Brewers opted to keep Ortiz in the game for his glove, a notable decision given the circumstances.

“We have a choice to make in the game, taking out a guy that’s one of the best defensive shortstops,” Murphy explained. “It’s early in the game. Who do you suggest we pinch-hit there, you know what I mean?” Ortiz bunted on the first pitch, advancing the runners but leading to a quick inning with no runs scored.

Generally, sacrificing a player in scoring position might hinder the chances of scoring more runs. Historical data suggests that teams are less likely to score when they give up an out to advance runners. In Ortiz’s case, the decision to sacrifice still felt like the safest option given his offensive struggles.

The Brewers’ decision-making shifted significantly with Ortiz, whose low on-base percentage and slugging percentage left the team feeling they could not risk a conventional at-bat. Murphy had seen Ortiz’s struggles firsthand; the player’s success rate on sacrifice attempts was only 29%. Still, the risk of a failed at-bat weighed heavily.

Ultimately, the night ended with a shutout for the Cubs. The Brewers recognized that they could not afford similar struggles in their next elimination game. If Ortiz leads off in a crucial situation on Saturday, Murphy may have to reconsider his choices, balancing between defensive stability and the necessity of strong offensive play.