Notes: Counsell has been going to his stout bullpen earlier as Brewers near finish line

Brewers manager Craig Counsell has not hesitated to go to his bullpen this season, and for good reason. It has been the strength of the club.

But, last time through the rotation, Counsell went to his bullpen earlier than ever. No starter went more than five innings, with Chase Anderson going only four Wednesday night in Chicago and Gio Gonzalez 4 2/3 innings Friday. That trend continued Saturday night with Zach Davies getting pulled after five innings.  

Obviously, every game is crucial as the Brewers continue to chase the Cubs for the NL Central crown. They are in good shape in the wild-card race, sitting in the No. 1 spot by four games entering play Saturday, but winning the division is top priority.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” Counsell said of his quicker hook with starters. “It’s having 14 relievers (with expanded rosters in September). We’re not going to run out of pitching. So, I do feel like we can be a little more aggressive.

“We’re going to ask more guys to get outs. The games have been of that nature as well, so it’s a combination of everything. We do feel a strength is our depth of pitching. So, if we can get another at-bat from a position player (as a pinch-hitter) and it costs us another inning from our starter, that’s a pretty good trade-off, I think.”

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The question is: Can Counsell continue to go this route over the final two weeks? Entering Saturday, the Brewers’ relief corps had covered 543 2/3 innings, fourth in the NL and the most of any club in contention for the playoffs.

“That’s a good problem,” Counsell said. “We’re winning a lot, so you’re seeing them used a lot. If we keep playing games like this, (high-leverage relievers) are not going to pitch every day. So, different guys are going to get outs, and that’s OK. That’s how it’s going to work.

“It’s game-related. I do think we can continue to do this. Don’t look at it as short starts. We have 15 pitchers available most days. Say there are two relievers unavailable; there are still 13 relievers available. We’ll be able to cover the game pretty good.”

Left-hander Wade Miley, removed after five innings Monday against Chicago, said every starter wants to go deep in games but they understand why Counsell goes to his bullpen early and often.

“We’re very fortunate to have the bullpen we have,” Miley said. “You’re a little frustrated about not going deeper, when it’s happening, but those guys come in and do the job, and ultimately that’s all that matters. How do we get to a ‘W’ at the end of the day.

Santana making an impact: The Brewers also have great depth among their position players, with both late-season acquisitions and September call-ups, giving Counsell strong pinch-hit options every day. Outfielder Domingo Santana, who spent much of the season with Class AAA Colorado Springs after struggling in the majors, has been effective off the bench, collecting four hits in 10 at-bats.

“He has done a heck of a job,” Counsell said. “We faced that big string of left-handed pitching and he got a pinch-hit at-bat nearly every day. He has done a nice job of contributing offensively.

“You’re not going to get a hit every day but he has added offensively to the mix. You think you can put another tough at-bat out there in the other team’s attempt to get 27 outs. (The depth) creates a great bunch and tough decisions for the other side late in games. That’s what you want.”

That means some players who were accustomed to starting every day, such as Eric Thames and Jonathan Schoop, are going to be out of the lineup more often. Counsell said that’s where being a good teammate comes into it.

“It’s what we’ve asked of a lot of guys,” Counsell said. “The National League game, by nature, is different. There are going to be more moves. Position players are going to be part of the game, even though they didn’t start. Orlando Arcia ends up with three hits (Friday) night and didn’t even start the game.

“It is different in the American League. When you read the box scores, it tends to be nine guys hitting, with maybe one pinch-hitter in the game. The National League is going to be different.”