The Milwaukee Brewers will start the National League Division Series against the Colorado Rockies with a bullpen day, announcing Thursday on Twitter that Brandon Woodruff will be the first "out getter."
Brewers manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that the Brewers have been moving away from the idea of starters and relievers and using matchups to their advantage.
"There aren't going to be hard and fast rules to how we use any of our pitchers," Counsell said.
The Oakland Athletics used the "opener" approach Wednesday night in their wild-card game against the New York Yankees, with Liam Hendriks getting the start. Hendriks went one inning in the Yankees' 7-2 victory and got the loss. Oakland's relievers were 45-16 in the regular season, the second-most bullpen wins in big league history behind the Tampa Bay Rays' 54 this year.
Right-hander Antonio Senzatela will start for the Rockies in Game 1. Senzatela was 6-6 in 13 starts in the regular season, with a 4.38 ERA and 69 strikeouts.
Counsell said right-hander Jhoulys Chacin will start Friday's Game 2.
Chacin started the tiebreaker game against the Chicago Cubs on Monday. Going on three days' rest, Chacin is expected to last for a shorter-than-usual stint.
