Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio expressed his desire to participate in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, after suffering cramps in his right hamstring that forced him to leave the game against the Dodgers. In the third game, the Brewers suffered a 3-1 defeat, falling to a 3-0 deficit in the series. Chourio, after the game, commented through an interpreter: “Physically I feel good, and I think I could play (on Friday).” The 21-year-old, who is the leadoff hitter and Milwaukee’s most outstanding offensive player this postseason, received IV treatment after leaving the game, according to Brewers manager Pat Murphy. During a turn at bat in the seventh inning against Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen, Chourio swung and immediately grabbed the back of his right leg. Chourio explained that, while swinging, “I was giving a little more and it happened”. After an athletic trainer checked him and Chourio tried to stretch, he walked off the field leaning on his left leg, putting almost no pressure on his right. Blake Perkins replaced Chourio and was eventually struck out, wasting another opportunity for the Brewers to reduce their deficit. Problems in the right hamstring have affected Chourio since July 29, when he had to leave a game and missed a month. The injury recurred when Chourio left Milwaukee’s first playoff game on October 4, although he returned for Game 2 on October 6 and hit a home run. He feels that he will be fine. So I have hope. Chourio, who signed an eight-year, $82 million contract before his major league debut, also hit a home run in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series and has been one of the few bright spots in a Milwaukee offense that has disappeared against the Dodgers’ starting pitching staff. Milwaukee has managed only nine hits and three runs in three National League Championship Series games, batting .101/.165/.180 with 30 strikeouts in 97 plate appearances, after scoring 22 runs in the divisional series. Only one team in baseball history, the 2004 Boston Red Sox, has come back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven series. Milwaukee’s players tried to keep their spirits up after their offense was silenced again by Los Angeles’ pitching, with Tyler Glasnow allowing one run in 5⅔ innings and four Dodgers relievers allowing one hit in 3⅓ scoreless innings.
It’s not over. I know it’s difficult. Things haven’t necessarily gone the way we wanted. But I trust that it will happen.
Jackson Chourio