Beginning with their last homestand, the Milwaukee Brewers have dipped into a minor offensive slump, scoring 31 runs across their last 11 games. Overall this season, they sit middle of the pack in run scoring, at no. 14 (4.3 per game). In most statistical categories, however, the Brewers occupy the bottom third of the rankings.
Accordingly, ESPN tags them just 21st in its midseason lineup rankings, behind all NL Central teams except the dismal Pirates. Milwaukee has the bats; those bats just have not performed consistently. The good news, though, is that perhaps the most important guy in the lineup, Christian Yelich, has heated up after a sluggish start. If a few others get back to hitting like their track records indicate they should be, the offense will feel a lot different moving forward.
Milwaukee Brewers Offense Is Not Nearly the Same
Here’s a quick comparison of where the Brewers rank in slash line metrics this year versus last.
Batting average: 23rd vs 8th
OBP: 19th vs 4th
Slugging: 28th vs 13th
Zooming out for a wholistic view is just as disappointing. Milwaukee’s .679 OPS is 24th vs last season’s 10th-place finish. They were also 6th in runs scored.
Speed on the base paths remains a strong suit. Once again the Brewers rank second in stolen bases, with 90 so far this season, supplying a crucial boost. While the 2024 lineup was hardly a group of Bronx Bombers, power is the main area of regression. The Brewers’ 66 dingers puts them 25th versus a no. 16 ranking in 2024.
The loss of a productive Willy Adames hurts, but that isn’t the full story. Over in San Francisco, Adames is struggling mightily. A similar story applies to many of the main sticks in Milwaukee’s lineup.
Indeed, first baseman Rhys Hoskins and right fielder Sam Frelick (Brice Turang is also drawing more walks) are the only everyday-ers having improved seasons at the plate. Christian Yelich has been mashing since late May, so he also gets a pass.
But Chourio has taken a step back after an outstanding rookie campaign. Even though he has picked it up, plate discipline remains an issue – just 10 walks in 73 games played. Ortiz provided some thump last season but has been miserable at shortstop in 2025. William Contreras continues to draw walks and play excellent backstop defense, but his power has mysteriously disappeared (10 doubles, 6 HR).
Scrappy Squad Keeps Fighting But Will Need Help from Somewhere in 2nd Half
Despite all this, the Brewers are 39-35 and battling for a wild card spot. It’s not like the pitching or defense has been extraordinary, ranking 14th in both ERA and defensive runs saved. This team has just been scrapping its way to wins.
In the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader against the Cubs, manager Pat Murphy has penciled in the following lineup.
- Sal Frelick RF
- Jackson Chourio CF
- Christian Yelich DH
- William Contreras C
- Brice Turang 2B
- Rhys Hoskins 1B
- Isaac Collins LF
- Caleb Durbin 3B
- Joey Ortiz SS
Ace Freddy Peralta will take the mound against the Cubs’ Jameson Taillon.
For the Brewers offense to improve without adding a bat before the trade deadline, some combination of several things has to happen. Yelich has to keep hitting. Ortiz has to rediscover his swing. Chourio needs to take more pitches. Contreras must provide more power; a .353 slugging in the cleanup spot isn’t exactly formidable.
The upswings from Yelich and Chourio are already encouraging. Say three of the above outcomes prove true: Pitchers will have a much harder time navigating the tandem of Milwaukee tandem. Otherwise, a contending Brewers squad should start scouring the trade market for some punch.
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