Brewers who ousted Padres stay in pitching news — NL Central roundup

No NL Central club took the field yesterday, but the Milwaukee Brewers, runaway winners at 103-59, still found themselves in the middle of the pitching conversation.

Brewers remain part of the postseason storyline

According to MLB Trade Rumors, the San Diego Padres were dispatched by the Brewers in the National League Division Series. Even in defeat, right-hander Michael King stood out: the outlet notes that he worked five innings of one-run ball in Game 2, then came back two days later to record a two-inning save in Game 3. MLB Trade Rumors adds that King was said to be available out of the bullpen for a potential Game 4 as well.

On top of that workload, King is reportedly open to returning to the Padres, per MLB Trade Rumors. His showings against Milwaukee and the way he was leaned on in the NLDS suggest he will remain a key arm to watch on the market, even if his future destination lies outside the NL Central.

Minor league free agency touches Brewers orbit

MLB Trade Rumors also reports that two veteran relievers have elected minor league free agency, as reflected on the MiLB.com transactions log. The site highlights right-hander Ian Hamilton, who landed a non-guaranteed major league deal with the Atlanta Braves after being non-tendered by the New York Yankees last November. One reliever connected to the Brewers is also part of that group, according to the same report, adding one more question mark to the pool of arms circulating around the organization.

Quiet day for the rest of the NL Central

Behind the powerhouse Brewers (103-59), the Chicago Cubs finished at 89-73, the Pittsburgh Pirates at 82-80, the St. Louis Cardinals at 77-85 and the Cincinnati Reds at 75-87. For those four clubs, no specific headlines surfaced over the past 24 hours. The coming weeks will reveal how each plans to close the gap on Milwaukee in a division where pitching chatter is already starting to build.