After a great couple of weeks for the Milwaukee Brewers including beating up on the worst teams the National League had to offer, it was time to go on the road. With three games against the Reds already cementing a great week, it was time to pay a visit to the defending champions in Atlanta. Here’s how they did.
THE GAMES
Game 24: 6-3 Win vs Cincinnati (16-8)
It was an unbelievable homestand for Willy Adames and Rowdy Tellez. The powerful duo hit home runs at an alarming rate, and this game against Cincinnati just added to their legend. Adames came to the plate in a scoreless game in the third inning with two men on. One swing later and it was 3-0. Tellez added his own solo shot in the eighth. Luis Urías also made his return and got a hit. Brandon Woodruff started on the mound and had his best start of the season, striking out 12 to get his third win.
Game 25: 18-4 Win vs Cincinnati (17-8)
Freddy Peralta only went five innings, but it doesn’t matter when your offense puts up 18 runs. And when Rowdy Tellez sets the team record for RBIs, it’s an even better night. A week after Adames had tied the record, the burly first baseman drove in eight, and almost had ten. After hitting a grand slam in the third and a two run bomb in the sixth, Tellez had another bases loaded chance in the eighth. Tellez hit it solidly but just missed his second grand slam, settling for a two run double and the record in a legendary performance. Kolten Wong also homered, a leadoff shot, and Christian Yelich scored three runs.
Game 26: 10-5 Win vs Cincinnati (18-8)
After putting up 18 runs the night before against a hapless Reds team, the Brewers got ten more, six of which came from the long ball. Urías hit his first dinger, and was joined by Yelich, Tyrone Taylor, Keston Hiura, and Adames (twice). The 3-4-5 hitters in the order (Adames, Yelich, Tellez) combined to go 7-14 with six runs scored, seven RBI, three doubles, and three homers. Adrian Houser was able to get the win despite an average start, but the bullpen picked him up. Trevor Gott, Brad Boxberger, Devin Williams, and Hoby Milner combined for four scoreless innings, allowing only two hits between them. It was the perfect way to end an incredible homestand, ringing the bell on the way to Atlanta.
Game 27: 6-3 Win at Atlanta (19-8)
Making the trip to Atlanta to take on the defending champions, the Brewers gave the ball to Eric Lauer and he delivered. The lefty went 6 1/3 innings, allowing just a single earned run and two hits while striking out eight. Brad Boxberger, Jandel Gustave, and Josh Hader then teamed up to close it out. Offensively, it was a balanced attack with seven of the nine starters getting at least one hit. Wong, Yelich, Tellez, and Hunter Renfroe each had two in an eleven hit performance.
Game 28: 3-2 Loss at Atlanta (19-9)
Brandon Woodruff has had great run support in 2022. Corbin Burnes has not. The Brewers ace dropped to 1-2 on the season despite an incredible 1.86 ERA. He drew the unfortunate task of facing Max Fried, who was just as good on this Saturday night. Atlanta’s top lefthander went seven strong, striking out eight and allowing on a single run on a Hunter Renfroe home run. The Brewers even had a chance to tie the game in the ninth off Kenley Jansen but a strike ‘em out, throw ‘em out double play ended the night.
Game 29: 9-2 Loss at Atlanta (19-10)
After a close loss the night before, the Brewers made sure to keep everyone’s heart rate down in the final game of the series. Aaron Ashby got the start and the lefty struggled, allowing six runs in four innings. Conversely, Charlie Morton was in postseason form, allowing just two hits in five innings. As an offense, the Brewers had only four hits, all singles, with the lone RBI going to Mike Brosseau, called up due to Andrew McCutchen going on the IL. There’s something about Sundays for the Brewers the past few weeks. They’ve gone 1-2 in the last three with only three total runs scored.
Takeaways from the Week that Was
Christian Yelich is starting to look like Christian Yelich
Don’t let the batting average fool you. Yelich is only hitting .248 but it’s risen 30 points since last Sunday. He went 9-25 on the week with 5 RBIs, hitting fastballs with authority and consistently going to the opposite field like he did in his first two years in Milwaukee. It’s been an encouraging start to May for the former MVP. Remember, he also didn’t really become the Yelich we’ve come to know until the All-Star break in 2018. A confident and authoritative Yelich in the box is a great sign for a Brewers offense that has woken up this past week.
Corbin Burnes Looks to Repeat as Cy Young
In the past decade, three pitchers have won back-to-back Cy Youngs Awards. Their names are Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, and Jacob deGrom. Corbin Burnes has a chance to become the fourth. In six starts, Burnes has thrown 38 2/3 innings, struck out 50, walked only 8, and has allowed only 23 hits. His 1.86 ERA is currently ninth in the NL with his strikeout total first. He’s second to Kershaw in WHIP, and is allowing only a .170 opposing batting average, ranking third. If he keeps this up, he’s a clear front runner for the award in 2022.
Milwaukee Could Set Record for All-Stars
The Brewers sent five players to the All-Star game in both 2019 and 2021, which sits as the team record. That record is in serious jeopardy in 2022. You can likely pencil in Burnes and Hader as members of the team, but there’s a number of Brewers making their case to join them. Eric Lauer is seventh in ERA at 1.82 and third in strikeouts. Rowdy Tellez is second in RBIs, Willy Adames in fifth. That’s five guys with a shot already, and that doesn’t even mention some former All-Stars. Devin Williams, Christian Yelich, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta all could pick it up in the next six weeks to make it. A dark horse as well could be Luis Urías. The young third baseman has looked strong since his return, hitting .353 in his first week.
