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Mike De Sisti / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Milwaukee Brewers: Pat Murphy gives simple reason for Trevor Megill Game 5 start

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 5:47 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers are just a few short hours away from facing the Chicago Cubs in Game Five of the National League Divisional Series. The winner will take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series with a trip to the World Series on the line. Milwaukee has not advanced to the NLCS, nor won a single playoff series, since 2018.

After jumping out a 2-0 series lead after playing the first two games at home, the Brewers dropped each of the next two games on the road in Chicago, and now have their backs against the wall as they try to extend their record-setting season, a year that saw them win a franchise-best 97 regular season games.

Standing in the way, of course, is their former manager Craig Counsell, now the Cubs’ skipper and one of their former pitchers, Drew Pomeranz, who will start Game Five for Chicago.

Trevor Megill will start Game Five of the NLDS for the Milwaukee Brewers

Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Credits 2025 Team Success to Jul 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill (29) celebrates the victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Hours after the Cubs announced that their high-leverage reliever would open Game Five for them, the Brewers announced that Trevor Megill, their All-Star closer, would do the same for them.

Megill was 6-3 with a 2.49 ERA and 30 saves for Milwaukee in 2025, but has not been in the closer’s role since he went on the injured list towards the end of the season. Abner Uribe has taken over those duties and, based on the decision to start Megill on Saturday, will remain as the Brewers’ closer for as long as their postseason run lasts.

Both Milwaukee and Chicago, apparently, are hoping that starting shutdown relievers will keep the other from scoring early. Through the first four games of the series, both teams have combined for 21 runs.

It will be interesting to see what the plan is for the Brewers following Megill in Game Five. They have starters Jacob Misiorowski, Jose Quintana, and Quinn Priester all available, as well as key bullpen arms Nick Mears, Aaron Ashby, and Uribe.

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy explains why Trevor Megill was chosen to start Game Five

Milwaukee Brewers Closer Trevor Megill Goes Viral for Touching Tribute to Bob Uecker at 2025 MLB All-Star Game 1 Jun 2, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Trevor Megill (29) reacts after the victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

In his pregame press conference, Brewers manager Pat Murphy was asked how he and his staff came to the conclusion that Megill should be the one to open Game Five in Milwaukee’s biggest and most important game of he season.

He responded, “The pitching guys, myself, Matt Arnold, we just sat in a room and talked about the possibilities. We considered a ton of factors. We settled on Megill, he was going to pitch tonight regardless.

“‘The power of friendship.’ He started it all.”

For much of the season, the Brewers have said that the reason for their unexpected success (in the eyes of those outside of Milwaukee) is because of the power of friendship and how much the players genuinely care for and play for each other.

The slogan was first uttered by Megill early in the season, around late May, when the Brewers started to turn their season around following a slow start.

Now, it will be Megill who will try to harness that power in an effort to keep the Brewers’ improbable run going.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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