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Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy excluded Christian Yelich from the Game 3 NLCS lineup against left-handed pitcher Blake Snell, opting for right-handed hitters Andrew Vaughn and Joey Ortiz.
The Milwaukee Brewers announced their starting lineup for Game 3 of the National League Championship Series on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, with notable changes aimed at countering Los Angeles Dodgers starter Blake Snell. Manager Pat Murphy decided to exclude Christian Yelich from the lineup, a move consistent with his strategy of playing matchups against left-handed pitching.
Andrew Vaughn will bat cleanup for the Brewers, replacing Yelich in the starting order. The decision follows Murphy’s earlier choice to sit Yelich in Game 1 of the NLCS against left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal. While Yelich played in the team's first postseason game against left-hander Robbie Ray, his absence in Game 3 highlights the Brewers' focus on platoon advantages.
The full lineup for Game 3 is as follows:
Luis Lara and Joey Ortiz also returned to the starting lineup. Lara replaces Sal Frelick, who went 0-for-3 with a walk in Game 2. Ortiz, despite a quiet postseason performance, remains in the lineup at third base.
Pat Murphy, the back-to-back NL Manager of the Year, has emphasized matchup-based decisions throughout the season. According to Yahoo Sports, Murphy is not willing to take the risk of starting left-handed hitter David Hamilton against Snell, despite Hamilton's strong performance in Game 2 where he went 2-for-3 with three runs and a hit-by-pitch.
Andrew Vaughn has been effective against left-handed pitching in 2026. According to SI.com, Vaughn slashed .336/.421/.517 with a .938 OPS, two home runs and 18 RBIs in 69 games played against lefties during the regular season. Snell is considered one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game, making the matchup a significant factor in the lineup construction.
Joey Ortiz has struggled in the postseason, going 1-for-13 overall. He was 1-for-10 in the NLDS and started the NLCS 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. However, the Brewers have kept him in the lineup, possibly due to his right-handed bat against Snell.
The Brewers entered Game 3 with a two-game lead in the National League Championship Series. The series has shifted to the West Coast for this game. While Yelich, Hamilton, and Frelick were not in the starting lineup, they remain available for potential pinch-hit or defensive appearances later in the game, particularly after Snell is removed from the mound.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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