Baseball has a way of keeping its participants humble, but the Milwaukee Brewers have shown that resilience and strategic planning can prove the skeptics wrong. As the season unfolded, many expected significant challenges for the Brewers after they lost key figures in the offseason, including manager Craig Counsell, top executive David Stearns, and ace pitcher Corbin Burnes. However, Milwaukee has defied those expectations, holding the largest division lead in all of Major League Baseball by late August.
Concerns at the season's start were valid. After such high-profile departures, the Brewers seemed poised for a downturn. Yet, the team managed to stay competitive, crediting much of their success to both veteran acquisitions and the rising talents within their ranks.
Strategic Additions
The Brewers bolstered their roster with impactful additions like Rhys Hoskins and Gary Sánchez. These seasoned players brought depth and experience, contributing significantly to the team's overall performance. But it wasn't just the veterans who made a difference.
Young hitters like William Contreras, Joey Ortiz, Blake Perkins, and Garrett Mitchell emerged as key players. Their contributions were critical in fortifying Milwaukee’s lineup and providing the dynamic offense needed to secure victories. Specifically, Brice Turang has solidified his status as one of the league’s premier defensive second basemen, successfully swiping 37 bases on 42 attempts and maintaining a mere 13% whiff rate on his swings. His approach focused more on grounders and line drives, showing a matured batting strategy.
Jackson Chourio's Rising Star
Another standout is Jackson Chourio, who effectively became a cornerstone for the Brewers' future. Chourio has maintained a .900 OPS since June and improved his swing rate while making consistent, quality contact. Remarkably, he was guaranteed $82 million before he even took a major league at-bat, a testament to the franchise's belief in his potential. Expectations for Chourio are high, with projections of a 20-20 season well within reach.
Pitching Excellence
Milwaukee's pitching has remained one of the most formidable in the National League. Bryan Hudson compiled an impressive 1.65 ERA over 38 appearances, showcasing his reliability out of the bullpen. Tobias Myers managed a solid 2.81 ERA across 19 games, 18 of which he started, indicating his consistency on the mound. Colin Rea delivered a commendable 119 ERA+ and a 3.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 23 appearances, underscoring his effectiveness in critical situations.
On top of that, Jared Koenig has been a revelation this season, achieving a stellar 2.09 ERA across 47 1/3 innings. Despite these successes, the team did face setbacks, including season-ending back surgery for Christian Yelich. However, the overall pitching staff has managed to mitigate such blows and keep the team in a strong position.
In Division Dominance
The Brewers have excelled within their division, holding a 72-52 record as of Tuesday—a testament to their consistent performance. Against NL Central teams, they boast a 25-14 record and have outscored their divisional rivals by 54 runs in head-to-head games. This dominance is a key reason why they're well-positioned to secure consecutive NL Central crowns for the first time in franchise history.
The remaining schedule holds 13 more games against divisional rivals, a crucial stretch that could solidify their place atop the division. Their performance outside the division has also been strong, with a 47-38 mark against all other opponents, showcasing their ability to compete against a broad range of teams.
As a source noted, "The Brewers have excelled in getting the most from their pitchers in recent years -- some of our sources have talked up Cameron Castro as a key on that end." This highlights Milwaukee’s knack for developing and optimizing their pitching talent, a critical factor in their sustained success.
The path to October is promising for the Brewers, with a combination of strategic acquisitions, emerging young talents, and consistent pitching forming the backbone of their campaign. If they maintain their current trajectory, a postseason berth seems all but assured.