Aaron Ashby Emerging as Historic Postseason Weapon

Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Aaron Ashby has established himself as a premier postseason bullpen weapon, as CBS Sports first reported, securing the final outs in a 5-4 Game 2 World Series victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. According to CBS Sports, Ashby has allowed zero runs over 15 ⅔ innings in the playoffs, recording 17 strikeouts and three saves.

Ashby is currently chasing the MLB record for the most consecutive scoreless innings to start a postseason. He currently trails 2016's Andrew Miller (16 innings) by only one-third of an inning, followed by 1984's Andy Hawkins (15 ⅓) and 1981's Goose Gossage (14 ⅓), as reported by CBS Sports.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy described Ashby's multi-inning relief role as "unconventional" and compared the approach to former pitchers Goose Gossage and Rollie Fingers. CBS Sports notes that Murphy manages his staff based on effectiveness rather than traditional roles; while Trevor Megill recorded 30 regular-season saves, Chad Patrick and Abner Uribe had six each, and Ashby had four.

Ashby's postseason success has come in high-leverage situations. CBS Sports reports he provided scoreless relief in a tie game during NLDS Game 1, held a lead in NLDS Game 2, and pitched three hitless, scoreless innings to earn a win in NLDS Game 4 after starter Robert Gasser failed to go five innings. In the NLCS against the Dodgers, he pitched two scoreless innings in Game 1 and secured a save in Game 2. He then earned a three-inning save in the clinching Game 4 to win the National League pennant. In the World Series, he has recorded 10 outs without allowing a run across the first two games.