MLB Contender: Nobody Talks About The Surging Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers are one of the most underrated teams in Major League Baseball.

The Brewers are running away with the National League Central Division.

The Brewers have a commanding game lead in their division, even with their best player on the Injured List.

All Star Christian Yelich, 32, is now recovering from successful back surgery.

At the time of his surgery, Yelich was hitting .315/.406/.504.,909, with 12 doubles, three triples, 11 homers, and 42 RBIs in 315 games.

Yelich’s barking back allowed him only 315 plate appearances this season, but he was a catalyst in the Brewers lineup.

But the Brewers might be the Rodney Dangerfield of MLB. It doesn’t seem they get the respect they are due.

Social Media conversations usually include the Dodgers, the Yankees, the Orioles, the Astros, the Phillies, and other high profile teams. It seems to this writer that the Brewers are often an afterthought.

Plenty Of Firepower:

Even with Yelich on the sidelines, the Brewers offense remains plenty dangerous.

The Brewers hit for average, hit for power, and are third in Major League Baseball, with 161 stolen bases.

The Brewers find a way to get on base, steal second, possibly steal third, and score.

It seems a different Brewer hitter contributes on a daily basis. Someone steps up every night.

Shortstop Willie Adames, who can become a free agent following this season, leads the team in home runs, with 22, and 85 RBIs. A shortstop with that type of power and speed is a true plus to any offense.

All Star catcher William Contreras contributes from a position not normally known for offensive production. However, Contreras has a rare combination of power and a very good hitting tool, which results in an excellent batting average.

Second baseman Brice Turang, 24, has had a superb season. He leads the team in stolen bases, with 37. Turang was a 1st round Brewers draft pick in 2018.

Two Budding MLB Stars:

Without Yelich in the lineup, two young Brewers have continued to step up and help lead the charge.

Jackson Chourio, still only 20, is a very legitimate candidate for National League Rookie of the Year.

Chourio makes excellent contact, has very good speed, and can hit the ball out of any park.

Chourio signed an 8-year, $82 million contract with Milwaukee that takes him through 2032.

To date, Chourio is hitting .274. He went 4-for-5 in the team’s 10-6 extra inning loss to the St. Louis Cardinals August 21. He stole his 18 base in the game.

The Brewers traded their right-handed pitching ace, Corbin Burnes to the Baltimore Orioles in February 2024. In return, the Brewers received left-handed pitcher DL Hall, and infielder, Joey Ortiz.

To this old scout, Ortiz, 26, has stardom written all over himself.

He can become a consequential part of future Brewers clubs.

A right-handed hitter, it’s possible Ortiz will assume the starting shortstop position if Willie Adames leaves via free agency.

Using a sweet, right-handed swing, Ortiz makes this happen. He gets big hits at big moments.

So far this season, Ortiz is hitting .248, but he is gaining experience and becoming a very important component of the winning Brewers team.

Outstanding Brewers Pitching:

It wasn’t easy to trade Burnes, who can become a free agent after this season. However, other Brewers pitchers have stepped up.

A rotation that normally includes right-handers Freddy Peralta, Colin Rea, Frankie Montas, Tobias Myers, and Aaron Civale, has been efficient, and relatively effective.

There are no real stars among the group. While Peralta had once been viewed as well above average, he has had some good moments, and bad.

Pitchers Robert Gasser (Tommy John surgery), Wade Miley (Tommy John surgery), and Brandon Woodruff (shoulder surgery), are all on the Brewers injured list.

The Brewers bullpen has been outstanding.

If the starters can give the team five or six innings, the pen is very credible in holding down the opposition.

Returning from injury himself, closer Devin Williams is almost automatic. He took over the 9th inning when the Brewers traded All Star Josh Hader. William has been terrific.

Williams did have a rough outing August 21, blowing a 9th inning save in the tough loss to St. Louis.

Lefties Jered Koenig, and Bryan Hudson, and right-handers Bryan Hudson and Joel Payamps have been very, very efficient in setting-up Williams.

The Brewers high-leverage relievers have been a major contributor to the team’s amazing success.

Right-handers Nick Mears, Elvis Peguero, Bryan Wison, and Joe Ross complete the pen.

Conclusions:

To this writer, the Milwaukee Brewers have such a well-balanced team, they can give the Dodgers and Phillies, and any other National League contender a run for their money in the National League pennant chase.