For one of the biggest games of their season, the Milwaukee Brewers are turning to a familiar face from the San Diego Padres' past.

Robert Gasser is set to start Game 4 of the NLDS against the Padres, giving the young left-hander an opportunity to pitch against the organization that originally drafted him. As Sammy Levitt noted, Gasser was part of the prospect package San Diego sent to Milwaukee in the 2022 trade that brought Josh Hader to the Padres.

Now, more than four years later, Gasser could play a major role in deciding whether the Padres' season continues or the Brewers advance.

Hader was one of the most recognizable closers in Brewers history before Milwaukee eventually dealt him to San Diego at the 2022 trade deadline. The Padres made the blockbuster move with hopes of making a deep postseason run, but their season ultimately ended in the NLCS against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Hader did not spend particularly long in San Diego, but the trade could have a lasting impact on both organizations. Gasser has developed into an intriguing young left-handed pitcher for Milwaukee and now gets the chance to face his former organization in October.

However, the Brewers likely won't ask Gasser to carry the game by himself. With the season potentially on the line, Gasser figures to have a relatively short leash. If he is pitching well, Milwaukee could let him go three or four innings, but the Brewers have every reason to be aggressive with their bullpen. If San Diego forces a Game 5, Jacob Misiorowski is expected to start, and Thursday's scheduled off day would give Milwaukee's relievers additional time to recover.

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The Padres also have plenty of right-handed bats available, which could make things even more difficult for Gasser. San Diego can load up its lineup against the lefty and force Milwaukee to make decisions early.

For Gasser, there will undoubtedly be plenty of emotion involved in facing the team that traded him away. But the Brewers aren't starting him simply because of the storyline. They believe he has the stuff to give them a chance. The Friars have history against Kyle Harrison, so manager Pat Murphy is making a smart call.