The Milwaukee Brewers entered the 2024 All-Star break with a 55-42 record. They limped into the break having won just three out of their last 10 contests that included losing back-to-back series at home. After being able to recharge here are four important things to monitor over the last 65 games.
Will the Milwaukee Brewers earn a first round bye in the 2024 MLB Playoffs?
When the Brewers resume game action on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins they will have been in first place of the National League Central division for 109 days. They have been in control all season long, currently are holding a 4.5 game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals, and are just one game back of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second best record in the National League. The #1 and #2 seeds get byes and forego the three game Wild Card Series, so if Milwaukee can win enough games they could earn a first round bye in October.
Christian Yelich will be competing for another batting title.
Prior to becoming a Brewer Christian Yelich owned a .290 batting average with the Miami Marlins, but had just one season where his average was .300 or above. In 2018 and 2019 he won back-to-back batting titles with averages of .326 and .329. This year he owns a National League best .326 batting average. If he stays healthy and remains a qualified hitter his competition down the stretch will include Shohei Ohtani (.316 batting average), Luis Arraez (.310), and potentially Mookie Betts (.304).
How will the outfield playing time shake out?
With Garrett Mitchell returning from injury there currently is a log jam in the outfield. Christian Yelich is the lone player who will start regardless of the pitching match up (.914 OPS against left-handed pitchers this year), but between Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, Jackson Chourio, and Blake Perkins there is a lot of playing time that needs to be dispersed.
How will the pitching staff round out?
Similarly the Brewers may find themselves making some tough decisions regarding their pitching staff. They are expected to add prior to the July 30 trade deadline in which a front line starter remains a top priority. That being said Joe Ross and D.L. Hall are expected back soon as well as relievers Devin Williams, Jared Koenig, Enoli Paredes, and possibly J.B. Bukauskas. There won’t be enough room on the 26-man roster for all of these pitchers, so some tough decisions are looming.
It should be a fun final two and a half months of the 2024 regular season. This year’s young Brewers team is very exciting and hopefully they find themselves with an opportunity to prove themselves with more games in October.
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