The Brewers cobbled together a bullpen game in Game 2, using seven pitchers, then six with the Priester meltdown and five in the Game 4 loss.
Hard-throwing rookie Jacob Misiorowski, who earned the win in Game 2 with three innings of scoreless relief, is expected to pitch at some point Saturday. He allowed one hit, walked two and struck out four of the 12 batters he faced.
Misiorowski, who made the All-Star team after just five major league starts but struggled in the second half, threw 31 of his 57 pitches at 100 mph or more in Game 2, reaching a high of 104.3 mph.
"We know exactly -- those who follow it every day, we know exactly where Miz is at and what we'd like him to do, and I think he fits in the plan for sure," Murphy said.
Shota Imanaga, who lasted just 2 2/3 innings in Game 2 for the Cubs, allowing four runs, including two homers, would be available on four days' rest, but Counsell would not commit.
The Cubs have scored 11 runs in the first inning of the series and have belted eight home runs, including three by Michael Busch and two by Happ. The Brewers have four homers, with three coming in Game 2.
Nico Hoerner is hitting .471 (8-for-17) and Kyle Tucker .333 (4-for-12), each with four runs scored.
After scoring 16 runs in the two victories at home, the Brewers managed just three runs in the two losses in Chicago. Milwaukee was 9-for-20 with runners in scoring position in the first two games, but just 2-for-13 in the two losses.
Brewers second baseman Brice Turang, who hit .288 during the regular season, is just 2-for-16 (.125) in the NLDS.
Milwaukee, which finished five games ahead of the Cubs with a franchise-record 97 victories, has the No. 1 overall seed and homefield advantage for the entire postseason. The Brewers are in the playoffs for the seventh time in eight seasons but have not won a playoff series since the NLDS in 2018.
--Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media