UPDATE: Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio is officially back in the lineup for Game 4 of the National League Championship Series today, October 13, 2023, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Chourio’s return comes just one day after he exited Game 3 due to hamstring cramps, a crucial development as the Brewers fight to avoid a sweep and keep their postseason hopes alive.
The stakes are high for the Brewers, who are facing a daunting 3-0 deficit in this best-of-seven series. Chourio is set to take the field in left and is batting in the No. 2 spot against Dodgers’ two-way star Shohei Ohtani.
“I think they’ve got it under control,”
said Brewers manager Pat Murphy, referring to Chourio’s right hamstring.
“I think he’s going to perform like he did yesterday. Three hard contacts yesterday. What else can you ask?”
Chourio, just 21 years old, has been an essential player for the Brewers, batting .276/.290/.552 in the playoffs. His performance is critical as the team strives to become only the second in MLB history to overcome a 3-0 series deficit, following the 2004 Boston Red Sox.
Yesterday, during the seventh inning of Game 3, Chourio experienced immediate discomfort after fouling off a pitch from Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen. He clutched the back of his right leg and was forced to leave the game after an athletic trainer assessed the situation. Despite the setback, Chourio received intravenous treatment and expressed confidence about his return, stating,
“I feel physically good,”
and confirming his readiness for Game 4.
Chourio’s injury history adds to the urgency. He previously left a game on July 29 due to similar hamstring issues, which sidelined him for a month. Although he faced another setback during the Brewers’ first postseason game on October 4, he made a strong comeback, hitting a home run in Game 2 on October 6.
As the Brewers look to turn the tide in this critical matchup, their chances heavily rely on Chourio’s performance and resilience. Murphy noted that he received a call from legendary manager Joe Torre this morning, who advised him to focus on the little things that lead to victory.
“Your mantra all year has been ‘Win tonight.’ You can’t win four games tonight; you can win one game. So, win tonight,”
Murphy recalled Torre saying.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Chourio can help propel the Brewers toward a comeback against one of the toughest teams in baseball. With Game 4 set to begin shortly, the adrenaline is high, and every play counts as the Brewers aim to shift the momentum.