The Milwaukee Brewers elected to bring back Eric Lauer to start Saturday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Both games played so far this weekend have been entertaining baseball games. Friday night was the Caleb Boushley show that was capped off by a Carlos Santana walk-off and then Saturday night featured a ton of offense in what ended up being a 10-6 ball game.
Unfortunately for Eric Lauer, who was looking to prove that he can contribute in 2024 and end this dreadful season off on a high note, he was tagged with eight earned runs that included a six run first inning. The Cubs hit three first inning home runs that included a Yan Gomes grand slam.
Eight earned runs tied a career high for Eric Lauer. His final start of the year was not good as he also allowed nine hits, walked four batters, and he very clearly fought command and velocity issues all game. His fastball averaged just 88.5 MPH in this game and was seen as low as 86.3 MPH.
Eric Lauer comments on his uncertain future with the Milwaukee Brewers after a disappointing season and final outing against the Chicago Cubs.
Following the game Eric Lauer was asked directly about his future with the team. 2024 will be his final year of arbitration in which he made just a hair over $5.00 MM this year. This makes him a potential non-tender candidate this off-season.
“No idea. I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m doing going forward. Like I said I didn’t make a whole lot of the opportunity today and it’s on me.”
“I love this team, I love this coaching staff, I love everybody around here. It’s a really welcoming team. I wish I didn’t struggle this year the way I did, but sometimes things happen and you just have to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Eric Lauer’s final 2023 MLB stats include nine starts (10 games overall), a 6.56 ERA, 16 home runs allowed, and a 1.67 WHIP. One season ago he made 29 starts with the Brewers and had a 3.69 ERA and in 2021 he had a 3.19 ERA in 20 starts (24 games).
Related: Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Eric Lauer Explains first half disappearance.
The non-tender deadline is typically in the middle of November each season, so Milwaukee will have at least until then to decide if they want to give Eric Lauer a contract for 2024 or not.
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