The MLB season is in full swing and the Milwaukee Brewers are off to an NL-best 7-3 start. Despite three shutout losses, the Brewers are ranked very high in Bleacher Report’s latest power rankings.
Milwaukee Brewers Ranked No. 2
Latest power rankings are here ⚾️
Full list from @JoelReuterBR 👉 https://t.co/D0OoAvXI9X pic.twitter.com/H4bfBeOjiV
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) April 11, 2023
Despite three losses in which the offense looked terrible, the Brewers come in at number two in Bleacher Report’s rankings. The rankings, done by Joel Reuter, have only the Tampa Bay Rays ahead of the Crew. The Rays are deserving of the number one spot as they are off to a 10-0 start.
“The Brewers lead the NL and rank second in the majors with a plus-25 run differential, and a bullpen that has allowed just three earned runs in 32 innings has been the biggest key to success. The starting rotation also ranks 10th in the majors with a 3.75 ERA, and the contributions of newcomer Brian Anderson and rookies Garrett Mitchell, Brice Turang and Joey Wiemer have given the offense a boost.”
– Joel Reuter on the Milwaukee Brewers in Bleacher Report’s power rankings
The only other NL Central team in the top ten is the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Milwaukee Brewers have not seen the Pirates yet, but Bryan Reynolds is off to a scorching start at the plate. Unfortunately, young star Oneil Cruz will miss multiple months with a fractured ankle.
Explaining the Brewers’ Hot Start
Nobody expected this kind of start from the Brewers. The team lost Hunter Renfroe, Kolten Wong and Brad Boxberger in the offseason and started the year with Tyrone Taylor, Aaron Ashby and Adrian Houser on the injured list. The Brewers’ opening day lineup featured two rookies starting. Garrett Mitchell and Brice Turang were joined by Joey Wiemer in Milwaukee as well after Luis Urías’ injury.
Three rookies and Brian Anderson starting at third base did not seem like a formula for success, but it has been. The Milwaukee Brewers are full of energy and it’s easy to see how much fun the group is having. Their offense has been great recently, but have been shut out three times this year. Obviously, they can be more consistent but they are already better than many fans expected.
As far as pitching goes, the Milwaukee Brewers have seen some surprising results. Wade Miley has been better than expected, and Corbin Burnes has struggled in his two starts. Despite their ace being off his game the Brewers have found ways to win games. Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta have been exceptional in their starts, but the real story is the Brewers’ bullpen.
The Brewers’ bullpen lost guys like Trevor Gott and Brad Boxberger this offseason. They also started the season without Josh Hader who was locked in as the closer until he was traded last year. Despite the changes in the bullpen, the group has been great. They have allowed just three earned runs in 32 innings of work and have not allowed any over the last 26.1 innings.
As Always
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