The 2023 Milwaukee Brewers: NL Central Champions
The Milwaukee Brewers officially claimed the National League Central title on Tuesday night courtesy a Cubs meltdown in Atlanta against the Braves. After wrapping up a series win against the St. Louis Cardinals Thursday, Brewers manager Craig Counsell shared insight to the pitching plans for their final three games of the season (vs. the Wild Card hopeful Chicago Cubs), giving our first look at the Brewers roster for the Wild Card Series.
Craig Counsell said Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta will not pitch this weekend. Rest for the Wild Card series and not injury related.
Friday: Colin Rea
Saturday: TBA
Sunday: Adrian Houser— Sophia Minnaert (@SophiaMinnaert) September 28, 2023
This news indicates the expected: 2021 NL Cy Young Winner Corbin Burnes is lined up to take the Game 1 start, with Brandon Woodruff to follow for Game 2 and Freddy Peralta lined up for a Game 3 if necessary. Considering the 26-player limit for MLB Postseason rosters and the general 13-pitcher maximum, the roster Craig Counsell will put together for the Wild Card Series (which can be different from later rounds), is starting to come into view.
Furthermore, given the short series, Counsell may opt to carry extra hitters for added matchup versatility due to the fewer innings available to be pitched. Many of the roster spots can be projected with good certainty to help determine those still up for grabs:
Starting Pitchers (3):
RHP Corbin Burnes, RHP Brandon Woodruff, RHP Freddy Peralta
Long-Relief Pitchers (1):
LHP Wade Miley
Relief Pitchers (4):
LHP Hoby Milner, RHP Bryse Wilson, RHP Joel Payamps, RHP Devin Williams (CP)
Infielders (7):
C William Contreras (R), C Victor Caratini (S), 1B Carlos Santana (S), 1B Rowdy Tellez (L), INF Andruw Monasterio (R), 3B Josh Donaldson (R), SS Willy Adames (R)
Outfielders (3):
LF Christian Yelich (L), CF Sal Frelick (L), OF Mark Canha (R)
In total, that’s 18 of 26 spots filled solely by the star players on the Brewers roster and ensuring each infield position has two players that can play there defensively. To fill the remaining 8 spots, let’s take a closer look at each position group:
Brewers Pitchers
Because the Wild Card series is, at most, a three-game affair, the Brewers will only need to prepare to have just as many starters lined up. However, the Brewers will have to ensure someone beyond the aforementioned Wade Miley is prepared to come in for multiple innings should any starter be roughed up early, get a high pitch count or injured mid-series. Hopefully, none of those situations come to pass, but Counsell and the Brewers will be prepared for every possibility.
The best candidates for long relievers during the MLB Postseason are starting pitchers used to coming out of the bullpen. One of the strongest candidates for this role is RHP Julio Teheran, who tossed four scoreless innings against the Cardinals in Thursday’s 3-0 Brewers victory. Teheran additionally has postseason experience with the Atlanta Braves, last in 2019, albeit with mixed results amidst a small sample size. Teheran was an early hero to the Milwaukee Brewers starting rotation before struggling at the end of June into July, before being shut down with a hip injury. Since his return, he’s allowed 2 ER on 8 hits, logging 6 Ks over 9 IP and 3 appearances.
Another arm that fits this criteria is Adrian Houser. However, given his role as the designated starter for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Cubs, it seems most likely he would have to wait until a potential NLDS to make a postseason roster in this role.
In the standard relief role, the injury status of RHP Elvis Peguero is worth monitoring, as he will be eligible to return from the IL and be part of the Wild Card Series should the Milwaukee Brewers deem him ready to throw. Additionally, trade acquisition LHP Andrew Chafin is a strong candidate for his handedness despite mixed results with the Brewers.
Brewers Infielders
The remaining options for the infield include Brice Turang (L), Owen Miller (R), and Abraham Toro (S). Given Turang’s defensive utility and speed, Miller’s speed and contact, and Toro’s offense, each has potential fits for being useful in certain roles off the bench, given their handedness and differences. Both Miller and Toro have been getting regular at-bats in Triple-A with the Nashville Sounds. Miller is slashing .300/.371/.567 since he was sent down on September 9th, while Toro is slashing .281/.373/.484 in the month of September.
Brewers Outfielders
Last but not least, the deepest position group for the Milwaukee Brewers is the outfield. The three listed above of Yelich, Frelick, and Canha, are certain to be on the Wild Card roster, given their offensive numbers and importance to the team. The remaining options for the outfield are Tyrone Taylor (R), Joey Wiemer (R), Blake Perkins (S), and the recently returned-from-injury Garrett Mitchell (L) (who reached base in all three plate appearances Wednesday). It seems unlikely that all four of these guys will make it, and will perhaps be the toughest decision for Counsell and company to make.
Due to Taylor’s experience with the team, including two prior postseasons, his pinch-hitting prowess is likely to be rostered for the Wild Card Series. Both Wiemer and Mitchell rate extremely well defensively and have elite speed, and Mitchell has proven to be a contact machine during his short big-league tenure. Meanwhile, Perkins could very easily be the odd-man out, considering the number of switch-hitters available elsewhere.
2023 Milwaukee Brewers Wild Card Series Complete Roster Projection
Starting Pitchers (3):
RHP Corbin Burnes, RHP Brandon Woodruff, RHP Freddy Peralta
Long-Relief Pitchers (2):
LHP Wade Miley, RHP Julio Teheran
Relief Pitchers (6):
RHP Elvis Peguero, LHP Andrew Chafin, LHP Hoby Milner, RHP Bryse Wilson, RHP Joel Payamps, RHP Devin Williams (CP)
Infielders (9):
C William Contreras (R), C Victor Caratini (S), 1B Carlos Santana (S), 1B Rowdy Tellez (L), INF Andruw Monasterio (R), 3B Josh Donaldson (R), SS Willy Adames (R), INF Brice Turang (L), INF Owen Miller (R)
Outfielders (6):
LF Christian Yelich (L), CF Sal Frelick (L), OF Mark Canha (R), OF Tyrone Taylor (R), OF Garrett Mitchell (L), OF Joey Wiemer (R)
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