Article: Week in Review: Clearing the Decks

[Kyle Ginsbach]

The Brewers have somehow flipped the feelings surrounding the team around after a rough start to the week. They're in first place, and it feels a bit more secure than it did before. If you missed the action, here's a quick recap.

Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Weekly Snapshot

Record Last Week: 3-2 (37-34)

Runs Scored: 22

Runs Surrendered: 17

Standing: 1st in NL Central (0.5 GA)

***

Game 67 | MIN 7, MIL 5

Game 68 | MIN 4, MIL 2

Game 69 | MIL 5, PIT 4

Game 70 | MIL 5, PIT 0

Game 71 | MIL 5, PIT 2

NEWS AND NOTES

In what has (unfortunately) become tradition, the Brewers had another long list of transactions this week. Among the highlights were the return of Jesse Winker and Wide Miley, along with the signing of Raimel Tapia. Here’s the list if you want the full picture:

• (06/17) Activated LF Jesse Winker from the 10-day injured list. 
• (06/17) Activated LHP Wade Miley from the 15-day injured list. 
• (06/17) Designated 1B Jon Singleton for assignment. 
• (06/17) Sent RHP Cam Robinson outright to Biloxi Shuckers. 
• (06/17) Optioned RHP Tyson Miller to the Nashville Sounds. 
• (06/14) Designated RHP Cam Robinson for assignment. 
• (06/14) Signed free agent RF Raimel Tapia. 
• (06/14) Activated LHP Eric Lauer from the 15-day injured list. 
• (06/14) Traded RHP Taylor Floyd to the Minnesota Twins. 
• (06/14) Optioned LHP Eric Lauer to the Nashville Sounds. 
• (06/14) Optioned 3B Abraham Toro to the Nashville Sounds. 
• (06/12) Activated RHP J.B. Bukauskas from the 15-day injured list.

Otherwise, it was very much a tale of two halves this past week. The Brewers started the week by extending their losing streak to six games and falling out of first place in the NL Central, but finished the week by sweeping their division rivals in convincing fashion. As of now, the aura surrounding the team is as positive as it's been in months.

HIGHLIGHTS

After dropping the first two games of the week in Minnesota, the Brewers got back to their bread and butter in the three-game sweep of the Pirates. The pitching staff was excellent, getting fantastic starts from Julio Teheran, Wade Miley, and Freddy Peralta. The bullpen was good, too, including great work from both Devin Williams and Trevor Megill.

6.0 innings, 9 Ks. #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/01k0RY986d

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 18, 2023

A new haircut has caught fire in Milwaukee, and the ballplayer responsible for it, Joey Wiemer, hit two home runs against the Pirates this week. The one that is featured below happened to come on Free Mullet Day at American Family Field.

Making a name for himself AND the mullet. #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/AdISL9h7fQ

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 17, 2023

Christian Yelich has very quietly been the Brewers' best hitter this year. He honed in with another good week at the plate, where he hit .400/.471/.733. He’s been red-hot since mid-may, and as mentioned before, he’s probably been the Brewers best hitter.

On a tear ?

Christian Yelich since May 12:
- 32 hits (.299 Average)
- .919 OPS
- 5 HR
- 14 RBI
- 9 SB

Vote Yelich to the All-Star game: https://t.co/ZGJNZU1K0V pic.twitter.com/bWKuEvjwwm

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) June 17, 2023

Luis Urias might have turned in one of the best defensive plays of the season at 3B in Friday's game against the Pirates.

 

LOWLIGHTS

There was only one real lowlight of the week: Devin Williams's first blown save of the season. It was a game in which the Brewers felt comfortably ahead for the most of the game, but ended with the Twins scoring four runs and Williams failing to record an out.

Luis Urias hasn’t been able to hit much since his return, and now boasts season averages of .114/.279/.229. If he doesn't start to hit soon, the Brewers might be forced to make a decision that'll be tough to swallow. That he had the biggest hit in Sunday's victory was a welcome relief, but it's too early to celebrate anything.

TRENDING STORYLINE

The Brewers just played what feels like their best series in two months. They still sit atop the NL Central, but the Cincinnati Reds have been baseball's best team since they dropped three out of four games to Milwaukee. The Brewers have a tough series facing them against the NL-best Arizona Diamondbacks(?), so staying in first place may prove to be a tall task. 

Adrian Houser will likely shift to the bullpen next week with the return of Wade Miley to the rotation. Peter Strzlecki seems to have lost the eighth inning role, with Elvis Peguero and Joel Payamps slotting in there for the time being. That could shift, and it may be something to keep an eye on next week.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Brewers are looking to build momentum after the sweep of the Pirates, but are running into the National League's top team, the Diamondbacks. The games will be played in Milwaukee, where the Brewers have been a better team this year. All three games will come against right-handed starters too, the demographic against whom the Brewers have been more successful. The final series of the week will be in Cleveland, against a Guardians team the Brewers haven’t seen much over the previous years.

MONDAY, 6/19: DIAMONDBACKS @ BREWERS - RHP Merrill Kelly vs. RHP Corbin Burnes

TUESDAY, 6/20: DIAMONDBACKS @ BREWERS - RHP Ryne Nelson vs. RHP Colin Rea

WEDNESDAY, 6/21: DIAMONDBACKS @ BREWERS - RHP Zac Gallen vs. RHP Julio Teheran

FRIDAY, 6/23: BREWERS @ GUARDIANS - TBD vs. TBD

SATURDAY, 6/24: BREWERS @ GUARDIANS - TBD vs. TBD

SUNDAY, 6/25: BREWERS @ GUARDIANS - TBD vs. TBD

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