The Milwaukee Brewers are hoping that 2023 will be much better than 2022. Despite their sixth season with a better than .500 finish in the past seven years, the Brewers could not keep their consecutive streak of making the post season alive (they made the Playoffs in 2020 with a 29-31 record). While many MLB analysts predict that the St. Louis Cardinals will repeat as champions of the National League Central, the more reliable PECOTA projections tell a different story. According to them, the Brewers will narrowly defeat the Cardinals for the division crown with a projected 87.6 wins (the Cardinals are projected to win 87.5).
Of course, there are 162 games to be played and anything can happen. In order for the Brewers to win the division and make their long-awaited World Series run, they need a great deal to improve in 2023. However, one facet of the team remains their strength, at least according to Craig Counsell: starting pitching.
Craig Counsell Identifies Starting Pitching as the Strength of the 2023 Milwaukee Brewers
In a recent article published by Adam McCalvy, the Brewers’ all-time winningest manager identified starting pitching as the team’s strength heading into the 2023 season:
“That’s the strength of our team. We don’t really run away from it. Our team is set up to thrive on starting pitching. Their health is really important — they’ll perform if they’re healthy. We’re not really worried about it, they’ll get it going for sure.”
Of course, the Brewers’ rotation is anchored by All-Stars Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta. However, the rest of their projected starters and spot starter are also expected to perform well in 2023.
2023 Brewers Pitching Staff Projections
The following projections were garnered from baseballreference.com:
- Corbin Burnes: 11-7, 2.95 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 214 strikeouts
- Brandon Woodruff: 10-7, 3.05 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 177 strikeouts
- Freddy Peralta: 7-5, 3.33 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 108 strikeouts
- Eric Lauer: 9-7, 3.68 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 146 strikeouts
- Adrian Houser: 7-8. 3.99 ERA, 1.34 ERA, 96 strikeouts
- Aaron Ashby: 4-7, 4.11 ERA, 1.29, 114 strikeouts
- Wade Miley: 6-5, 3.68 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 76 strikeouts
The total number of wins these projected starters are expected to have equals 52. This is one game more than the team’s regular six-man rotation had in 2022. While this small improvement could make a difference, one would hope that the top four pitchers in their rotation have better win-numbers than what baseball reference projects. Of course, it doesn’t really matter who records the wins as long as the team gets them.
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FAQs
How to Watch the Milwaukee Brewers Without Cable?
DirectTV Stream will give local viewers access to watch the Brewers, regardless of the channel they are playing on, Bally Sports Wisconsin, ESPN, Fox, Fox Sports 1, and TBS. fuboTV will also give viewers access to all Brewers games, except those on TBS.
Out-of-market fans can use MLB.TV to enjoy Brewers baseball from afar.
When Did the Brewers Come to Milwaukee?
The Brewers were founded in 1969 as the Seattle Pilots as part of the American League (AL). After one season, the team relocated to Milwaukee. The Brewers joined the National League (NL) in 1998.
How Did the Brewers Get Their Name?
The Brewers’ name dates back to the early 1900s, originally held by a professional franchise that relocated to become the St. Louis Browns. It honors the beer-brewing industry in and around Milwaukee.
Will the Brewers Win the 2023 World Series?
Sportsbooks have the Brewers at 4000-1 to win the World Series. This is the 14th-best odds among MLB teams. It’s not impossible with players like Christian Yelich, but the odds aren’t in their favor.
