Article: Week in Review: Beating the Beaten

[Kyle Ginsbach]

The Brewers found a way to win this past week, largely because they found themselves matched up with two teams slumping worse than the Brewers themselves. Wins are wins, though, and the Brewers find themselves back in first place again, along with the Reds. Here's a quick recap of the action.

Image courtesy of © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Weekly Snapshot

Record Last Week: 5-2 (45-39 Overall)

Runs Scored: 36

Runs Surrendered: 32

Standing: 1st NL Central (0 GA)

***

Game 78 | MIL 2, NYM 1

Game 77 | NYM 7, MIL 2

Game 80 | MIL 5, NYM 2

Game 81 | MIL 3, NYM 2

Game 82 | PIT 8, MIL 7

Game 83 | MIL 11, PIT 8

Game 84 | MIL 6, PIT 3

NEWS AND NOTES

The Brewers spent the week in the midst of a long road trip, and struggled to find innings from their bullpen, resulting in the shuffle of pitchers. Here’s a list of last week's transactions.

• 06/29/23 - Sent CF Tyrone Taylor on a rehab assignment to Nashville Sounds. 
• 06/29/23 - Recalled SS Brice Turang from Nashville Sounds. 
• 06/29/23 - Optioned 3B Luis Urias to Nashville Sounds. 
• 06/28/23- Selected the contract of LHP Thomas Pannone from Nashville Sounds. 
• 06/28/23 - Optioned RHP Peter Strzelecki to Nashville Sounds. 
• 06/27/23 - Sent LHP Justin Wilson on a rehab assignment to ACL Brewers.
• 07/01/23 - Designated RHP Matt Bush for assignment. 
• 07/01/23 - Designated LHP Thomas Pannone for assignment. 
• 07/01/23 - Selected the contract of LHP Clayton Andrews from Nashville Sounds. 
• 07/01/23 - Recalled RHP J.B. Bukauskas from Nashville Sounds.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Brewers won five games this week, largely thanks to their pitching staff and low quality of their opponents. The Brewers offense found some more success when facing the Pirates, including three-run homers from both Christian Yelich and William Contreras.

New month, same Yeli! #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/V21N7ah9V3

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 1, 2023

Perhaps the highlight of the week was from the starting rotation, with the Brewers getting great starts from Colin Rea, Corbin Burnes, and more.

Caution: Ace at work ⚠️#ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/XACErxlKLq

— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) July 1, 2023

Devin Williams was leaned on heavily in the Brewers' close games this week, where the closer converted on all four of his save opportunities.  

 

LOWLIGHTS

In what was the most successful week in some time, the Brewers lost the chance to sweep the Pirates by blowing a late lead in game one of the series. Two of the three pitchers from the game, Matt Bush and Thomas Pannone, were DFA’d the following day.

Luis Urias was sent down to AAA, following his struggles to begin his season. He was slashing .145/.299/.236 in 20 games this season. Brice Turang, who hadn't been much better except with his glove, returned to take his place.

TRENDING STORYLINE

The Brewers don’t have an off day until the All-Star break, so continuing to manage the bullpen and the rotation will be at the forefront of the team's cluster of concerns, much like last week. Their upcoming opponents are of note, too, with the two division rivals in the Cubs and Reds coming to Milwaukee. 

LOOKING AHEAD

MONDAY, 7/3: CUBS @ BREWERS: LHP Drew Smyly vs. RHP Julio Tehran

TUESDAY, 7/4: CUBS @ BREWERS: RHP Kyle Hendricks vs. LHP Wade Miley

WEDNESDAY, 7/5: CUBS @ BREWERS: LHP Justin Steele vs. RHP Adrian Houser

THURSDAY 7/6: CUBS @ BREWERS: RHP Marcus Stroman vs. RHP Freddy Peralta

FRIDAY, 7/7: REDS @ BREWERS: TBD vs. TBD

SATURDAY, 7/8: REDS @ BREWERS: TBD vs. TBD

SUNDAY, 7/9: REDS @ BREWERS: TBD vs. TBD

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[KeithStone53151]

I wouldn't put too much stock in the specific teams we beat or lose to. Bottom line is we won 5 or 7. The Mets payroll is at least double ours and the roster is loaded with quality players. Slumps can end at a moments notice.

The best part of this week was 24 runs against the pirates in 3 games. Hitting is the greater concern. The pitching has been better than the hitting, and we have significant injury reinforcements coming on the pitching side with no hitters on the horizon really in the minors or injuries. Maybe frelick, maybe Hiura. Both would specifically fill a need and it would be great if they put up big july numbers in AAA to provide an option.