Freddy Peralta Emerges as NL Cy Young Hope and Brewers' Postseason MVP

When Freddy Peralta, the starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, threw a six‑strikeout, 5.2‑inning effort in Game 3 of the NL Division Series, his name vaulted into the conversation for the National League Cy Young Award.

The 29‑year‑old right‑hander, born June 4 1996 in Moca, Dominican Republic, has been the Brewers’ quiet workhorse since his debut on May 13 2018. Yet this October, despite logging only four regular‑season starts all season, his postseason résumé is turning heads in baseball circles.

Why Peralta Is Suddenly a Cy Young Contender

Here’s the thing: the Cy Young isn’t just about win‑loss totals. Voters also weigh ERA, strikeouts, WHIP and – increasingly – advanced metrics. Over his 15.1 postseason innings, Peralta posted a 4.70 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP, but more tellingly he struck out 19 batters and generated a ground‑ball rate that kept the opposition’s offense in check. Baseball‑savvy analyst Mike Simmons of Brewer Fanatic told ESPN, “You rarely see a pitcher with his pedigree swing the momentum of a series after just three starts. That’s Cy Young‑level impact, even if the raw numbers look modest.”

He also threw 3,086 pitches this season, with a fastball spin rate of 2,300 RPM and a slider showing a 78.3 % usage rate – a blend of velocity and movement that kept batters guessing.

Postseason Performance Breakdown

Peralta’s three starts in the 2025 NLDS tell a story of resilience:

• Oct 4 – 5.2 innings, 9 K, 2 earned runs in a 9‑3 win.
• Oct 9 – 4.0 innings, 6 K, 3 earned runs in a 6‑0 loss.
• Oct 14 – 5.2 innings, 4 K, 3 earned runs in a 5‑1 defeat.

He allowed five home runs in those outings, but each came after a series of grounders that forced the Dodgers to chase a high‑powered lineup.

According to FanGraphs, his strikeout‑to‑walk ratio sits at 3.2, and his WHIP of 1.17 is the third‑best among NL starters with at least 15 postseason innings.

Career Context and the Road to This Moment

Peralta’s regular‑season career numbers are solid: a 70‑42 record, 3.59 ERA, and a 1.13 WHIP across 211 games – all with the Brewers. He’s never been a batting threat (career .083 average), but his pitching has always been the headline.

The twist is his 2025 regular season. An undisclosed injury limited him to just four starts, where he posted an 8.56 ERA. Most would write him off, yet his team kept him in the rotation for the playoffs, betting on his pedigree.

“We believed in Freddy’s work ethic and his ability to adjust,” said Pat Maldonado, the Brewers’ pitching coach, in a pre‑game conference on Oct 15. “He’s the kind of guy who finds a way to be effective, even when the numbers don’t look pretty on paper.”

What the Dodgers Face in Game 4

Game 4 is set for Oct 16, 2025, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The event, officially the 2025 NL Division Series – Game 4Dodger Stadium, could tip the series toward a decisive Game 5.

If the Brewers stick with Peralta, he’ll be up against a Dodgers lineup that hit .285 in the series and has sluggers capable of turning one swing into a homer. Still, his ground‑ball ability should force the Dodgers into double plays, a tactic that helped him out of the October 4 win.

Broader Impact: What This Means for the Brewers' Future

Should Peralta earn the Cy Young nod, the Brewers could see a surge in free‑agent market appeal. A Cy Young winner often commands a multi‑year, multi‑million contract, and the team could lock in its ace for the next decade.

Financially, the Brewers are sitting at a payroll of $173 million, well below the NL average. Adding a star pitcher on a long-term deal would bring stability to a rotation that lost veterans like Yovani Gomez to retirement last season.

Fans in Milwaukee are already buzzing. “I’ve watched him grow from a raw prospect to a true leader,” said longtime season ticket holder Linda Hernandez. “If he gets the award, it feels like the city’s getting the recognition we deserve.”

What’s Next for Peralta and the Brewers?

After the Dodgers series, the Brewers could face either the Atlanta Braves or the New York Mets in the NL Championship, depending on who advances. In either scenario, Peralta’s health and stamina will be key. The team’s medical staff plans to monitor his pitch count closely, given the limited workload earlier this season.

Meanwhile, the MLB’s awards committee will convene in December to decide the Cy Young winner. If Peralta’s postseason heroics sway the voters, we could be witnessing one of the most dramatic award runs since Madison Bumgarner in 2014.