Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich, right, celebrates after his solo home run with Rhys Hoskins (12) during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Sunday, May 11, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
A Milwaukee Brewers baseball pitcher in a navy blue jersey with number 43 and “Milwaukee” written across the chest, wearing a matching cap, gray pants, and a brown glove, captured mid-pitch with his arm extended and leg lifted in front of a blurred crowd in a stadium.
The Milwaukee Brewers begin their National League Division Series run Saturday night against the San Diego Padres at American Family Field. Milwaukee brings baseball’s best regular-season record, an elite young ace and a deep, balanced lineup into a matchup with a Padres team fresh off a Wild Card Series sweep of the Chicago Cubs.
Game 1 starts at 8:30 p.m. ET, 7:30 p.m. CT and 5:30 p.m. PT. FS1, FOX Deportes and FOX One will carry the national broadcast. The best-of-five series gives Milwaukee home games for Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, Game 5.
Suggested featured-image caption: Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski leads the top-seeded Brewers into Game 1 of the 2026 National League Division Series against San Diego.
Brewers Bring Baseball’s Best Record to October
Milwaukee enters October as MLB’s No. 1 overall seed after a franchise-record 103-win regular season and its first 100-win campaign. The Brewers have reached the postseason in eight of the past nine years, but this club carries a different level of expectation after dominating the National League Central from start to finish.
The Brewers’ October identity starts with Jacob Misiorowski, the 24-year-old right-hander who owns Game 1 after a remarkable season. Misiorowski went 16-5 with a Major League-best 1.80 ERA and 252 strikeouts in 174 2/3 innings. His high-velocity arsenal gives manager Pat Murphy a potential series-changing advantage from the opening pitch.
Milwaukee will follow Misiorowski with Logan Henderson in Game 2. Henderson posted a 2.47 ERA in 18 starts and gives the Brewers another 24-year-old right-hander with the stuff to challenge San Diego’s veteran lineup.
Chourio, Turang and Contreras Drive Milwaukee
Jackson Chourio stands at the center of Milwaukee’s lineup. The young outfielder hit .291 with a .351 on-base percentage and .487 slugging percentage, while Brice Turang, William Contreras, Jake Bauers and Christian Yelich give the Brewers multiple ways to generate offense.
Suggested image caption: Jacob Misiorowski takes the ball for Milwaukee in Game 1 after leading the majors with a 1.80 ERA.
Chourio, Turang and Contreras need to create traffic before the middle of the order arrives. Milwaukee’s offense does not need to chase a home-run derby against San Diego. It needs to use its athleticism, make the Padres work through long innings and give Misiorowski an early lead.
Padres Arrive With October Momentum
San Diego swept the Cubs in the Wild Card round and now arrives in Milwaukee with a lineup built around Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, Xander Bogaerts and Ty France. Tatis and Machado opened the Wild Card Series with first-inning home runs, while Bogaerts delivered key hits in both games and the Padres’ depth continued to produce.
Suggested image caption: Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado powered San Diego’s Wild Card Series sweep and now lead the Padres into Milwaukee.
Tatis remains San Diego’s primary tone-setter after hitting .289 with a .358 on-base percentage and .470 slugging percentage during the regular season. Machado added 30 home runs and 91 RBIs, giving the Padres a pair of veteran stars capable of changing the series with one swing.
Mason Miller also gives San Diego a major late-inning weapon. His presence allows the Padres to shorten games once they gain a lead, which puts additional urgency on Milwaukee to capitalize early against the San Diego starter.
Pitching Matchup Defines Game 1
Misiorowski is locked in for Milwaukee, but San Diego had not formally named its Game 1 starter as of Friday morning. Walker Buehler and Robbie Ray stand as the leading candidates, with Randy Vásquez or a bullpen-game strategy also possible.
Team
Game 1 starter
2026 outlook
Milwaukee Brewers
Jacob Misiorowski, RHP
16-5, 1.80 ERA, 252 strikeouts; Major League ERA leader.
San Diego Padres
To be announced
Walker Buehler or Robbie Ray appears most likely, though San Diego could choose another route.
The Padres will likely use Michael King in Game 2 and Nick Pivetta in Game 3, giving San Diego experienced options after its Game 1 decision.
Milwaukee owns the season-long advantage, home field and the Game 1 pitching edge. San Diego counters with postseason rhythm, star power and a bullpen capable of swinging close games. That contrast makes the opening game essential: the Brewers want to protect American Family Field, while the Padres want to turn a Wild Card surge into a road-series upset.
