Earlier in the week, ESPN released the week 20 MLB power rankings. Some things certainly haven’t changed as the Dodgers, Astros, and Mets still sit at the top. Even though the Dodgers dropped a couple games to the Brewers, they have still been the most dominant team this year.
Despite the difficulties within the team as well as their performance, the Brewers ranked 13th this week. Unfortunately, the Brewers have been in a bit of a free fall, and this may be the best their ranking gets. Last week the team was ranked 12th, and one spot drop in a week really isn’t that bad but without Hiura or Lauer the drop would be much greater. The Brewers had a few nice team wins but they came largely in part because of the play of those two. Lauer shut down the Dodgers over five innings again, and Hiura has been hitting homers left and right.
The Start of the End for the Brewers?
Let’s look at the facts. The Brewers are 4-6 in their last ten games. They have also allowed 14 homers during that time as well. They are struggling to keep the ball in the park, and closing out games is a group effort as well. There’s no doubt that the back end of the bullpen has been hurting the team all year. But, having multiple people come together to do one established job has proven to be an issue as well.
The Brewers had a save opportunity in half of their last 12 games. They only managed to convert three of them. Three out of 12 games having a save would be a bad rate for a whole season, as it would equate to 41 wins that include a save. Along with this, the Brewers are just not getting into very close games. They only have 16 blown saves in 56 opportunities, but part of the problem is that they aren’t actually getting into save territory.
This isn’t the only problem as of late for the Brewers, however. The Brewers have allowed 51 runs and scored 39 in the recent 10 game stretch. The offense has struggled to get going and it is rare for anyone to be on base when someone does make solid contact.
Brewers Fans are Starting to Give Up on 2022
Given those statistics about the Brewers, they are 65-57 and still less than 6 games out of their division. There is a real chance they can make the playoffs, but recently the Brewers ranked ninth in the league for their attendance drop this year. The ballpark is nearly empty, or the other teams fans, and Twitter has been a mixed bag as well.
Here is a look at what some Brewers fans and analysts have had to say about the team this past week.
Regardless of what happens the last 5-6 weeks of the regular season, the Brewers front office needs to revamp the makeup of this team. Pitching will still be there, but we cannot run a lineup out there where not a single guy is hitting above .250 or gets on base consistently
— Don August (@DonAugust38) August 21, 2022
Don August, a former Brewers pitcher, has kept the optimism most of the season. But, as many others have, he has since shifted and requested the front office take a serious look at the team this offseason. Struggling to score runs and struggling to stop the other team from scoring is not a good combination.
Today would be a good day for the Brewers to promote Sal Frelick or Estuery Ruiz.
— Jack Stern (@ByJackStern) August 26, 2022
Other writers for the team are ready for the future. This year seems like it is about to fall out of the Brewers hands. There isn’t much time left, and mounting a comeback for a playoff run would have to start sooner than later. However, at this point it might be time to give the younger players a chance at playing against top level pitching. Sal Frelick and Estuery Ruiz have both had amazing years in the minors for the Brewers and both players could be fighting for starting jobs next year.
@Brewers This is the weekend the ship gets righted. #thisismycrew Crush the Cubs.
— Dave Starman (@DStarmanHockey) August 26, 2022
Other fans are still optimistic for the Brewers to make the playoffs. Again, they are only six games out and while it may seem ridiculous given the inconsistent play, it is still possible.
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