Since it is the All-Star Break, I thought it would be fun to look back at first half of the year’s Good, Bad, and Ugly of the Brewers season.  Going into the break with a 55-42 record and a steady hold on 1^st place in the division is probably the best that any of us could have hoped for.  My overall feeling of this team is through the roof.  That doesn’t mean the team doesn’t have opportunities for improvements.  As we’ve seen the past couple of series, the bottoms of the leagues like to go on runs against us (Hey there, Colorado, Pittsburgh, Washington,).  Too many series like that back-to-back will have STL on our doorstep (4.5 games back to date).  The Brewers have an amazing opportunity to go from their “Franchise Manager” to the next without skipping a beat. Let’s take a look at what has gone right for the Brew Crew.

The Good

Bullpen

According to Baseball Reference, The Brewers are no stranger to relying on reserve arms to get through day-to-day operations during the grueling 162.  This year is something out of the ordinary.  33-17 in games decided in relief is the highest in the NL. 74% in save opportunities (miss you DWill) is 2nd highest while having 9 different pitchers complete a save.  The relief pitching doesn’t get too many “short” outings either.  3.8 Outs per relief appearance also leads the NL.  Pitchers have come into the game while trailing 110 times.  Being able to turn that into 33 wins (more than half of our wins have come in relief) is pretty remarkable considering our IL (don’t worry, it won’t be the last time I bring up the IL).

Defense

Defense has always been the heart and soul of Milwaukee. One thing that is new this year than in years past? The Brewers could possibly see 2 or 3 Gold Gloves out of this year. Some would say Jackson Chourio has struggled in his first year in the blue and gold (if you haven’t watched baseball the past month). The kid has yet to commit an Error. He leads the NL Outfielders in Total Zone Total Fielding Runs Above Average (RTOT on Baseball Reference) with 12 (basically, he makes 12 good plays before he makes a bad one). Ironman Willy has been a treat, even with a handful of errors (8). The fact that he’s out there with a 2.2 WAR while already playing 97 games is above reproach for any player, much less someone without a contract for next year. There is another Brewer on top of the entire NL in RTOT: Brice Turang. He also leads in Defensive Runs Saved with 15 while MKE leads NL in team Defensive Runs Saved with 38.

Christian Yelich

The rejuvenescence of Yeli is my favorite part of the 2024 Brewers today. Basically, if you need someone to get to first base from the batter’s box, you want Christian up to bat. He leads the NL in BAbip (balls in play) with .379, BA with .326, and OBP with .412. The last time Yelich had numbers like this in the middle of July, he was an MVP.  The fact that he missed time with his back makes his comeback that much sweeter.  Congrats on the ASG appearance Yeli, you’ve earned it.

The Bad

Injuries

Where to begin. 3 starters are out for the season. None of them really got off to a start.  DL Hall, who didn’t seem too comfortable when he was healthy, keeps getting delayed on his return and his rehab starts have been hard to watch at best.  Devin Williams hasn’t thrown a pitch this year. Joe Ross has shown some life but not enough to cement him as a starter that we would be better with than without (in my opinion, @ me). Paredes looks solid but going down with an elbow is not a good sign this early in his career.  Lastly, our most efficient starter: Jared Koenig is on the shelf. Silver Lining: everyone but the 3 out for the season should be back by middle August.

The West

The Brewers are 55-42 so it’s not like there’s a ton of opportunity across the board. That being said, they are 13-13 against teams in the AL/NL West.  Against everyone else, their run differential is 345-273.  Against the West its 121-114.  I like that they fought in LA for 3 good games.  I enjoyed Sal Frelick’s play of the first half against the Angels. The struggles against Colorado and San Diego are not good. There is a world where they play SD in the Wild Card and the Dodgers in the NLDS (where it seems like we have to play every year) and those aren’t good match ups for the Brewers.  The Colorado series gave me heart burn. Refer back to my instant reaction on 7/1 here.

Struggling Additions

I am trying to love Rhys Hoskins and Gary Sanchez.  Both have delivered veteran appearances with their bat with “signature Brewer’s moments”. Both are still underperforming by their career numbers. Gary Sanchez (career) is batting BA .218 (.224), OBP .293(.308), and SLG .401 (.466). Eerily similar is Hoskins, BA .215(.240), OBP .308(.349) and SLG .414 (.485). The optics are just as gross.  Reminiscing on that terrible game on 7/1, Hoskins looks like a veteran that is doing all that he can to get production past his prime. That is not what he came to the Brewer’s to do. He knows that and I believe he has a chance to be a better player the rest of the year.  Gary on the other hand.. I really like Eric Haase.. I could see Sanchez getting traded for DFA’d if he comes back after the deadline.

The Ugly

FG.FTC.

-Irrelevant

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