With the Milwaukee Brewers preparing for the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2026 World Series, the team made an interesting pitching decision that is sure to intrigue any fan. As the decision was made by the Brewers for Brandon Woodruff to make the World Series roster, this MLB insider discussess how he will be used against the Rays.

Speaking on “Foul Territory,” Ken Rosenthal would talk about Woodruff, who has missed almost four months of action, last played on July 4, saying that he could be used as an “opener.” While that idea has been “floated,” it's not confirmed how Milwaukee will use Woodruff, though there is immense trust in the 33-year-old pitcher who has been with the ball club since 2017.

“And you ask how they're going to use him; it's interesting,” Rosenthal said. “Obviously, he's only going to be an inning or two at most, if he can even do an up-down. But the idea of him as an opener is something that I have heard floated, and that would be probably the best way to use Brandon Woodruff. One inning, get him out. Now, he's not going to be 95, 96. He was at 90, 92 the other day, but they trust him. They trust the person. They trust him to throw strikes.”

"The idea of him as an opener is something that I've heard floated."@Ken_Rosenthal on how the Brewers might utilize Brandon Woodruff… pic.twitter.com/euRq8MZAs0

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) October 23, 2026

Ken Rosenthal continues on Brewers' Brandon Woodruff.

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While there are parts of the story that could be seen as a “sentimental move,” as Rosenthal describes, the Brewers are trying to win the World Series at the end of the day.

“They're acting because they feel in some particular spot he might be the best person for that job, and he's taking the place of Chad Patrick,” Rosenthal said. “Chad Patrick did not pitch in, I believe, either of the series. So most likely, it's no harm, no foul, and I doubt we'll even see him pitch. But there is a possibility of him as an opener, or, who knows in some other capacity.”

At any rate, it remains to be seen how Woodruff is used for the Brewers in the World Series against the Rays as Game 1 takes place on Friday.