Baseball has a way of keeping its participants humble, a truth the Milwaukee Brewers have encountered firsthand. At the start of the season, skepticism loomed heavily over the Brewers. The departure of manager Craig Counsell, top executive David Stearns, and ace pitcher Corbin Burnes raised significant doubts about the team's prospects. Many expected the Brewers to falter following these substantial offseason losses. However, the Brewers have consistently defied expectations, emerging as a testament to resilience and determination.
Resilient Roster Turnaround
By late August, Milwaukee held the largest division lead in all of Major League Baseball, a position few anticipated at the season's outset. Key roster additions such as Rhys Hoskins and Gary Sánchez have bolstered the team’s ranks. The Brewers have also benefitted enormously from the emergence of younger hitters like William Contreras, Joey Ortiz, Blake Perkins, and Garrett Mitchell.
Brice Turang has made significant strides, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier defensive second basemen. He has successfully swiped 37 bases on 42 attempts, demonstrating his prowess on the basepaths. Additionally, Turang has maintained a disciplined approach at the plate, whiffing on just 13% of his swings while focusing more on grounders and line drives.
The Rise of Jackson Chourio
Another standout is Jackson Chourio, who has posted a .900 OPS since June. Chourio’s refined approach at the plate, marked by a reduced swing rate and consistent, quality contact, has paid dividends. Despite having guaranteed $82 million before taking a major league at-bat, Chourio is living up to high expectations and is projected to achieve a 20-20 season.
Pitching: A Pillar of Strength
Milwaukee's pitching remains among the best in the National League. Bryan Hudson compiled an impressive 1.65 ERA over 38 appearances, while Tobias Myers has posted a 2.81 ERA in 19 games, including 18 starts. Colin Rea has been reliable, boasting a 119 ERA+ and a 3.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 23 appearances. Meanwhile, Jared Koenig has achieved a stellar 2.09 ERA across 47 1/3 innings this season. "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," one source noted.
Overcoming Adversity
Despite their achievements, the Brewers have faced their share of adversity. Christian Yelich's season-ending back surgery was a significant blow to the team. Yet, Milwaukee has demonstrated remarkable depth and resilience throughout the season, reflected in their impressive 72-52 record as of Tuesday.
Commanding the NL Central
Against NL Central teams, the Brewers have been particularly dominant, holding a 25-14 record and outscoring their opponents by 54 runs in head-to-head matchups. Milwaukee's performance against all other opponents remains solid, with a 47-38 mark. With 13 more games to be played against divisional rivals before the season's end, the Brewers are well-positioned to secure consecutive NL Central crowns for the first time in franchise history.
In a sport that humbles its participants, the Milwaukee Brewers have shown tremendous fortitude and adaptability. As the season progresses, they'll aim to cap off a remarkable turnaround with a historic division title.