Joey

Ortiz

Cooper Pratt has started all six games at shortstop so far, leaving Ortiz and Hamilton to divvy up only the starts at third. Ortiz is thus far 1-for-13, while Hamilton is 1-for-4. The Brewers lineup tonight: LF Jackson Chourio, 2B Brice Turang, C William Contreras, 1B Jake Bauers, DH Christian Yelich, CF Garrett Mitchell, SS Pratt, RF Sal Frelick and 3B Hamilton.

Chourio, who delivered a game-winning single against San Diego superstar closer Mason Miller in Game 2, and the Brewers have a chance to eliminate the Padres on their home field and punch their ticket to the NLCS for the second consecutive season. Here’s the full lineup: Chourio (LF), Jake Bauers (1B), William Contreras (C), Brice Turang (2B), Christian Yelich (DH), Garrett Mitchell (CF), Cooper Pratt (SS), Sal Frelick (RF) and Joey Ortiz (3B).

The biggest development here is Lara getting the nod in right field with Jake Bauers at the cold corner over Andrew Vaughn. It doesn’t come as a surprise to see Bauers in the lineup, but the widely-held assumption was that he would be their primary right fielder in the postseason. It’s basically Lara getting the nod over Andrew Vaughn to face Padres lefty Robbie Ray. Here’s the full lineup: Jackson Chourio (LF), Brice Turang (2B), William Contreras (C), Bauers (1B), Christian Yelich (DH), Cooper Pratt (SS), Lara (RF), Garrett Mitchell (CF) and Joey Ortiz.

It’s unclear if Ortiz will be a full-time player against the Padres. If not, that would mean a fair amount of David Hamilton at third base.

Ortiz underwent an MRI exam that revealed nothing more than abdominal swelling. He’s also dealing with a knee contusion. If it were the postseason, it’s possible that he may have gutted it out, but with nothing to play for on Sunday it was an easy choice for the Brewers to keep him out of the lineup.

Ortiz also underwent tests on his knee, but they showed only a contusion. He seems doubtful for Sunday, but he could be ready to play in the NLDS opener.

Ortiz suffered an injury during Friday’s game against the Cards and has dealt with various ailments as of late, and the Brewers won’t take any chances. David Hamilton will handle third base and hit ninth while Ortiz sits.

Ortiz seemed to role his ankle while running the bases in the second inning. His limp then seemed to get progressively worse throughout the game before he was ultimately lifted late. It sounds like a day-to-day type of situation, but look for the Brewers to provide more clarity on Ortiz’s availability prior to Saturday’s ballgame.

Ortiz singled in two with a sixth-inning grounder. The funny thing is that he had the hardest-hit ball of the game, a 106-mph liner to left, but it was the only out he made on the night. Ortiz is hitting .417 with two homers and eight RBI in 12 games this month. His OPSs by month are .481, .565, .640, .930, .830 and 1.071.

Pratt has served as Milwaukee’s primary shortstop since arriving in the big leagues back in mid-June. It’ll be defensive standout Joey Ortiz getting the nod in his absence.