The Milwaukee Brewers now have a four-and-a-half game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central Division following their 5-1 win against their fierce rivals on Monday afternoon. Of course, the game was of immense interest to fans because it was the first time that Craig Counsell returned to American Family Field after he left the Brewers to become the manager of the Cubs.
While the Brewers were able to score five runs, they did not come until the eighth inning. Sal Frelick, who led off the bottom of the eighth with a pinch-hit single, came around to score on an error. A few batters later, shortstop Willy Adames launched a three-run home run into left-center to give Milwaukee a 4-0 advantage. Jackson Chourio added a RBI double later in the frame.
While the late offensive heroics should be celebrated, it is important not to overlook the dominant pitching of rookie left-hander Robert Gasser.
Robert Gasser Has Been Everything the Milwaukee Brewers Need Him to Be
It is no secret that the Brewers have been struggling with injuries to their starting rotation since before the season even began. While Brandon Woodruff was re-signed to a two-year deal, it was done so with the knowledge that his shoulder injury and recovery from last year would keep him out for the entirety of 2024.
Since the season began, Wade Miley, Jakob Junis, Joe Ross, and DL Hall have all landed on the injured list. All are still there, too, with Miley out for the year due to needing Tommy John surgery.
With their starting rotation in shambles, the Brewers turned to Gasser, who was originally acquired by Milwaukee in the trade that sent Josh Hader to the San Diego Padres.
On Monday against the Cubs, Gasser pitched into the seventh inning, allowing just three hits, no walks, no runs, and striking out a career-high seven.
In his previous start, Gasser pitched six innings against the Miami Marlins. He allowed four runs and 10 hits, but his ability to go six innings saved the team’s beleaguered bullpen. In his two starts prior to that one, he notched wins.
In other words, Gasser has done everything Pat Murphy has asked him to do.
Robert Gasser Made Milwaukee Brewers History vs the Chicago Cubs
As mentioned, Gasser went six innings and did not allow any runs against Chicago. Through four starts, he is 2-0 with a 1.96 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. He has walked just one batter since coming up to the Majors.
According to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Gasser is just the third Brewers’ pitcher in the last 40 years to have a sub-2.00 ERA through his first four career starts:
Robert Gasser is the third Brewers pitcher in the last 40 years to have a sub-2.00 ERA through his first four career starts. The other two are named Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta.
— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) May 28, 2024
As Hogg notes, the other two are Woodruff and Freddy Peralta.
That is some pretty nice company to be in, and gives the indication that the starting rotation, while injured right now, has a bright future.
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