MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Freddy Peralta dreamed about playing in the playoffs as a youngster. Now, he's starting Game 3 of the NLDS vs. the Atlanta Braves.

Todd Rosiak
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

ATLANTA - Freddy Peralta remembers growing up as a youngster in Moca, Dominican Republic and watching big-time baseball games on TV.

The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees battling for American League East supremacy. The St. Louis Cardinals beating the Texas Rangers to win the World Series in 2011 (after they beat the Milwaukee Brewers in six games in the National League Championship Series, at that).

Now on Monday afternoon, the right-hander will be one of those pitchers trying to deliver in the big moments with the world watching as he starts Game 3 of the National League Division Series against Ian Anderson and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park.

Starting in the playoffs will be a new experience for Peralta

Peralta has pitched just twice in the playoffs previously, and both times out of the bullpen — in 2018 and 2020.

"It means a lot for me and also for my family, too. It's a great moment," he said Sunday, shortly after Milwaukee arrived at the ballpark for an informal workout. "I know that it's going to be a great experience.

"As a player I always, like, dream about these kind of moments because I grew up watching these kind of games. And it's great to know that I will be pitching one of those games.

"So, really good experience for me, it's going to be."

Freddy Peralta will start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves on Monday afternoon.

Manager Craig Counsell held off until Sunday morning before officially naming Peralta. But when asked if he'd waited because he and his coaching staff might have cooked up something more unconventional, as they've been known to do in the postseason, he didn't hesitate.

"Freddy was the starter," Counsell said. "This was the plan from probably July."

Peralta was a first-time All-Star this season 

At the end of July, Peralta was on a terrific personal roll, having compiled an 8-3 record and 2.17 earned run average through 20 starts, teaming with Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff to give Milwaukee a 1-2-3 punch at the start of its rotation that rivaled any in the major leagues.

He even earned his first All-Star nod, replacing Woodruff on the National League team.

With the Brewers employing a six-man rotation all season, extra rest had been built in for everybody. But Peralta got even more around the all-star break — 13 days, to be exact.

After making his first two starts in August, Peralta went only two innings against the St. Louis Cardinals on Aug. 18 before being placed on the injured list with right shoulder irritation.

He missed two weeks then returned to make five starts in September, with the Brewers progressively stretching out his appearances to as many as six innings.

More:Development of Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Freddy Peralta is key to Brewers' success

More:After facing dominant pitching in Games 1 and 2, Brewers look to get offense headed in right direction

The numbers weren't quite the same as they were before the injury — a 1-2 record and 4.70 ERA, although he improved his command by issuing only five walks and still struck out 31 in 23 innings.

"Being honest, I was feeling really good (before the IL stint)," he said. "But when September came, I was feeling good enough for pitching and all that, strong, but my body was getting a little tired, like, faster than earlier (in the season).

"But last year, I didn't throw a lot of innings (29 ⅓). And this year, it's a big difference (career-high 144 ⅓). But, I was doing my best working with the people that I have to work with to feel better all the time, the trainers and all that.

"Right now, I'm feeling like we're in April again and it's more important for me right now. I feel healthy and strong for these kind of moments."

He's well-rested entering Game 3 vs. the Braves

Peralta's last start came on Sept. 26 as the Brewers opted to hold both he and Woodruff back from pitching in the final regular-season series of the season.

That means he enters Monday having had another full two weeks without game action, although he estimated he threw around 25 pitches in the bullpen warming up as a possible replacement for Adrian Houser in the Brewers' Game 1 victory.

"That helped me a lot because I was feeling as if I was in the game, like, if I was on the mound pitching," Peralta said. "And for me, that helped a lot because my arm feels much better after that day.

"I was ready to go in there. I was wishing."

The time Peralta missed cost him and the Brewers a chance of having three 200-strikeout starters — he finished with 195 — and he finished with a 10-5 record, 2.81 ERA and WHIP of 0.97, numbers that still ranked him among the NL's better performers.

"I think you have those road bumps during the season," Counsell said. "And Freddy has had them. And you've just got to overcome them. I think he's in a good place.

"Our point kind of going to the end of the season was to make Freddy fresh going into this, anticipating that — we're hoping he has probably five starts left, something of that nature.

"And, getting him fresh for hopefully running five starts in October."

Peralta makes no bones about the fact he's proud he's finally made the transition from staff swing man to full-time starter, and now he'll make the biggest start of his career to date with the Brewers seeking to regain the lead in the series — but this time in hostile territory.

"It's really good when you're connected with all your teammates, with your pitching coach, with your teammates," said Peralta. "That way, everything goes a little easier and you can learn from them. And that way, you're going to stay like more consistent, and that way you're going to stay in the rotation like I am right now.

"And I hope that stays (the same) in the future for a lot more years."