Article: Week in Review: Brewers Fall Flat

[Kyle Ginsbach]

It was a forgettable week, with the Brewers dropping five of their six games. Yet, they're closer to first place today than they were a week ago. If you missed the action, here's what you need to get caught up on. 

Image courtesy of © Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

Weekly Snapshot

Record Last Week: 1-5

Runs Scored: 21

Runs Surrendered: 32

Standing: 2nd in NL Central (0.5 GB)

***

Game 29 | COL 3, MIL 2

Game 30 | COL 7, MIL 1

Game 31 | COL 9, MIL 6

Game 32 | SF 6, MIL 4

Game 33 | SF 4, MIL 1

Game 34 | MIL 7, SF 3

NEWS AND NOTES

In the last of these weekly recaps, we saw the Brewers struggle with the bats a bit, but this past week, it was even more of a struggle to plate runs for the Crew--despite a trip to Coors Field. However, the Brewers did see one return on the offensive side, with Tyrone Taylor making his season debut in Colorado. Blake Perkins was optioned to make room for Taylor’s return.

Adrian Houser made his comeback on Sunday, where he made a start in San Francisco. His role will flip between starter and reliever going forward, depending on the team's ongoing health status.

In a flurry of pitching moves, Gus Varland began his rehab assignment last Tuesday. Varland was out after being struck with a pitch earlier in the season. Bennett Sousa was called up on Friday, with Jake Cousins being sent down as the corresponding move. Sousa will pitch out of the bullpen. To make room for Houser, reliever Tyson Miller was sent down Friday as well.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Brewers didn’t generate many highlights in their dreadful week, but there were a few flashes of excitement. Much like his debut in Coors Field, Peralta turned in another double-digit strikeout performance in his second career start there.

Tyrone Taylors return to the lineup was punctuated with two outfield assists in Colorado.

 

Willy Adames hit his 100th career home run on Sunday in San Francisco.

 

LOWLIGHTS

The pitching staff yielded mixed results all week. The bullpen, still trying to find a new stabilization point after heavy usage over the first three weeks of the season and a couple of key injuries, struggled throughout the West Coast swing. The starters had more ups, but also some frustrating downs.

Over the last seven days, the team ERA was 4.59, while the Brewers also surrendered seven unearned runs. The offense slashed .256/.323/.372, with a notable lack of “the big hit."

The Brewers have continued to struggle with left-handed pitching, lowering their season numbers against lefties yet again this week. Against southpaws, the Brewers are hitting just .213 on the season.

There are plenty of other little things that could make it to this section, but in spirit of some much needed positivity, I'll leave it at that.

TRENDING STORYLINE

The Brewers caught a bit of a break last week, with the Cubs, Pirates, and Cardinals all suffering similar (or even worse) losing streaks. It is hard to believe all three will keep scuffling, so the Brewers will need to right the ship, too.

Can the Brewers make do with what they have? Both Luis Urias and Brandon Woodruff remain far from returning, so players like Colin Rea and Houser need to fill the pitching gap, while Owen Miller and Mike Brosseau need to swing more potent bats on the infield. The win on Sunday should help the Brewers get back on track, but nothing is guaranteed. 

LOOKING AHEAD

The Brewers have six home games ahead: three each against the Dodgers and Royals. The Dodgers have been playing much better over the last two weeks, while the Royals have continued to limp helplessly through the early parts of the season.

MONDAY, 5/8: DODGERS @ BREWERS - RHP Freddy Peralta vs. RHP Tony Gonsolin

TUESDAY, 5/9: DODGERS @ BREWERS - LHP Eric Lauer vs. RHP Noah Syndergaard

WEDNESDAY, 5/10: DODGERS @ BREWERS - LHP Wade Miley vs. LHP Clayton Kershaw

FRIDAY, 5/12: ROYALS @ BREWERS - TBD vs. TBD

SATURDAY, 5/13: ROYALS @ BREWERS - TBD vs. TBD

SUNDAY, 5/14: ROYALS @ BREWERS - TBD vs. TBD

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