Article: Favorite Brewers Bracket (2010-2019): Molitor and Sheets Regions, Round 2

[Tim Muma]

And now the second half of the bracket is ready for round-of-32 voting in the Favorite Milwaukee Brewers Bracket (2010-2019 edition). The Molitor and Sheets Regions each saw a notable upset in the opening round. Will any of these underdogs advance to the Sweet 16?

Image courtesy of © Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Overall, these two regions saw lower margins of victory in the first round, even among the top seeds. That could indicate the favorite Milwaukee Brewers are in for tougher battles in their quest to reach the Sweet 16 and beyond. Closer results mean your votes count even more!

MOLITOR REGION

#1 Christian Yelich vs. #8 Scooter Gennett
Gennett edged 9-seed Domingo Santana by just a handful of votes in the opening round to get 51 percent. While Scooter fans can be happy about the victory, Yelich in the round of 32 is a formidable foe. The top seed in the Molitor Region earned 95 percent of the vote and figures to be on cruise control into the next round.

#4 Travis Shaw vs. #5 Mike Moustakas
The committee anticipated this second-round tilt between the two large, left-handed hitting third basemen (who also dabbled at second base). Shaw might have taken some offense to the acquisition of Moose in 2018, but the Brewers made it work by moving them around the diamond. Moustakas became an instant fan favorite, while Shaw had staked his claim for a year and a half before the newbie joined. I know some in the committee who never grew to love Shaw. Is there a niche group that feels the same, or will his production over multiple years be enough to outlast Moustakas?

#3 Jonathan Lucroy vs. #11 Nori Aoki
So far, the biggest upset of the tourney was Aoki's 52-48 percent win over six-seed Lyle Overbay. Aoki's unique style, coupled with being the only Japanese player to come directly to Milwaukee, must have stuck in the fans' memories. Lucroy sped past Mike Fiers with 89 percent, though some thought that was lower than expected. The former backstop is still a heavy favorite, but Aoki fans could have their sights set on a stunning run to the Sweet 16.

#2 Yovani Gallardo vs. #7 Will Smith
Like Lucroy, Gallardo didn't reach 90 percent of the vote in his opening-round win over Casey McGehee. Is Gallardo a weaker two-seed than we thought? The positive for him is a favorable matchup against a relief pitcher in round two. Smith took down Randy Wolf with 61 percent of the vote in the southpaw hurler contest. Smith certainly has fans in his corner, but without the "closer" label like some of his fellow relief mates in the bracket, it's difficult to see an upset in round two.

SHEETS REGION

#1 Corbin Burnes vs. #8 Manny Piña
The former battery mates meet up in round two, with Burnes as a heavy favorite. Piña knocked off fellow catcher Yasmani Grandal with relative ease (63 percent), arguing for team loyalty as a significant factor for fans. Burnes expectedly demolished Jonathan Villar with 93 percent, making his mark as a true top seed. The Cy Young hurler has eyes on bigger things than just the Sweet 16, but he has to take that step first.

#4 Freddy Peralta vs. #5 Zack Greinke
It's an intriguing contest between two talented starting pitchers. Recency bias and familiarity could influence younger fans to choose Peralta. The older Brewers backers might feel nostalgia and joy from the Greinke experience early in the decade. Peralta is the close, early favorite as voting begins. Greinke only received 71 percent of the votes in his first matchup, while Peralta hit 91 percent against a similarly inferior opponent.

#3 Lorenzo Cain vs. #11 Jhoulys Chacín
Another 11-seed defeated a six-seed, as Chacín knocked off Chase Anderson by a 54-46 margin. It seems Chacín got votes for his recent success with the Brewers, though maybe some felt more ill will toward Anderson. Either way, it was likely the winner would hit a buzzsaw in Cain in round two. With 92 percent of the votes in the opening round, Cain looks destined for a Sweet 16 berth and a shot at the Elite Eight, regardless of who he faces.

#2 Brandon Woodruff vs. #7 Nyjer Morgan
Morgan cruised past Junior Guerra with 86 percent, which is not too surprising considering Morgan's place in Brewers' postseason history. No word if "Tony Plush" drew in some additional write-in votes. He will need help to get past Woodruff as one of the current Brewers in the bracket. Woody has all the tools to earn massive votes to get to the Sweet 16 and further. Some think this matchup could be close early, but Las Vegas is counting on a large margin of victory.

That gets us through the second round in all the regions, so make sure you vote to get your favorite Brewers into the Sweet 16. Click below to find the Molitor and Sheets Regions for voting and sharing the chance to participate. The Sweet 16 will really start to get the arguments brewing.

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[AKCheesehead]

I wanted to go with Greinke, but just can't do that over Freddy.  I can see why he wouldn't have gotten through the first round, if I'd voted that round I'd likely have taken Capuano. No upsets for me in either bracket this round.

[MrTPlush]

2 hours ago, AKCheesehead said:

I wanted to go with Greinke, but just can't do that over Freddy.  I can see why he wouldn't have gotten through the first round, if I'd voted that round I'd likely have taken Capuano. No upsets for me in either bracket this round.

I only went Greinke because Peralta is very forgettable/overshadowed over his tenure. Burnes/Woodruff are both better and more consistent. Plus other wildly likable players exist on the team too (Yeli for some and also Adames). 

I also continued support for Aoki. Lucroy was a good player, but he was a bit of an annoying whiner like Burnes towards the end...plus that darn suitcase falling on his hand.

I actually went Morgan over Woodruff. Both have legendary postseason moments, but Morgan was quite a unique guy on a very good team. Woodruff is great, but a little more reserved/quiet. If I was filling a room with former Brewers to hang with, I would definitely want Morgan over Woodruff. Morgan's seeding was by far the worst the committee made. He should honestly be a #3.