Brewers Week In Review: An Ideal Start

[Kyle Ginsbach]

Brewers baseball is back! If you missed any of last week's action, here's a quick recap of how the Brewers fared against the Mets in their opening series of 2024.

Image courtesy of © Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Weekly Snapshot

Record Last Week: 3-0 (3-0 Overall)
Runs Scored: 14
Runs Surrendered: 8
Standing:  2nd in NL Central (0.5 GB)

***

Game 1 | MIL 3, NYM 1
Game 2 | MIL 7, NYM 6 
Game 3 | MIL 4, NYM 1 

Transactions

03/28/24 - Designated C Eric Haase for assignment. 
03/28/24 - Placed LHP Wade Miley on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 25, 2024. (Left shoulder impingement)
03/28/24 - Placed OF Garrett Mitchell on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 25, 2024. (Fractured left index finger)
03/28/24 - Placed RHP Devin Williams on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 25, 2024. (Back stress fracture)
03/28/24 - Activated LHP Bryan Hudson. 
03/28/24 - Placed RHP Taylor Clarke on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 25, 2024. (Right meniscus tear)
03/28/24 - Optioned RHP J.B. Bukauskas to Nashville Sounds. 
03/28/24 - Recalled 2B Oliver Dunn from Nashville Sounds.

Breakdown

It was about as good a start as you could draw up. With three road wins to begin the season and good performances across the roster, the Brewers have started 3-0 for the first time since 2018. 

Despite the delay to Opening Day, the tone was set by Freddy Peralta on Friday, where the newly minted Brewers ace pitched six innings of one run, one hit ball in the Brewers 3-1 victory over the Mets. The offense then generated 16 hits on Saturday, backing up a spotty performance from Brewers starter DL Hall and the bullpen in game two's 7-6 win. Perhaps the most notable event of the weekend was a slide play at second base involving Rhys Hoskins and Mets 2B Jeff McNeil. That slide caused the benches to clear in Friday’s game and the subsequent ejection of Mets pitcher Yohan Ramirez after he threw at Hoskins late in Saturday's game. On Sunday, starter Colin Rea set the tone, throwing five innings of one-run ball, before the bullpen combination of Bryan Hudson and Joel Payamps tossed four scoreless to finish the sweep of the Mets 4-1. 

The Brewers' offense has generated 33 hits, ten walks, and eight stolen bases through three games. They’ve also hit two home runs and struck out 29 times as a team. The pitching staff is off to arguably a better start, with an ERA of 2.47 and a 0.96 WHIP.

Highlights

Brice Turang continues to dazzle with both the glove and his speed. He’s the first Brewer to steal more than three bases in the first three games of the season in franchise history. 

Christian Yelich was the first Brewers to gather at least five hits in the first two games of a season since Lorenzo Cain. He also hit the first Brewers homer of the season and finished the first series with a slash line of .455/.538/.727. He even recorded an outfield assist, throwing out Harison Bader at second base during Saturday's game.

Jackson Chourio was the first major league player to debut was born in the year 2004. In his first three games, he showed why he was one of the top prospects in the game, turning in highlights with his bat, glove, and speed. 

Bryan Hudson waited until Sunday to make his season debut but made the most of his first opportunity on the young season. The left-hander entered the game in relief of starter Colin Rea, pitching three scoreless innings, recording four strikeouts, and surrendering only two hits.

Oliver Dunn's debut was lost behind the noise of Chourio’s, but the rookie was impressive in his first series, too. Dunn collected his first big league hit and RBI on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, and he played a great defensive third base.

Joel Payamps and Abner Uribe covered well for the injured Devin Williams in the relief department, converting three saves in three opportunities.

Other Tidbits:

• There are currently six qualified Brewers with an OPS over .850.
• The Brewers have stolen eight bases in three games. No runner was caught stealing.
• The Brewers' pitching staff ended the week with a 2.47 ERA, allowing only six walks and recording 23 strikeouts. However, they did surrender four home runs.

3 Stars of the Week

3rd Star - Brice Turang (.455/.455/.545, 4 SB)
2nd Star - Freddy Peralta (6.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 8K)  
1st Star - Christian Yelich (.455/.538/.727, 2 RBI, HR, 2 SB) 

Looking Forward

Tuesday, 4/02 - Twins @ Brewers (3:10 pm CDT) - RHP Louie Varland vs. RHP Jakob Junis

Wednesday, 4/03 - Twins @ Brewers (12:10 pm CDT) - RHP Chris Paddack vs. RHP Joe Ross

Friday, 4/05 - Mariners @ Brewers (7:10 pm CDT) - TBD vs. TBD

Saturday, 4/06 - Mariners @ Brewers (6:10 pm CDT) - TBD vs. TBD

Sunday, 4/07 - Mariners @ Brewers (1:10 pm CDT) - TBD vs. TBD

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[eddiemathews]

Good recap.

[sveumrules]

Win Probability Added Leaders (& Laggards)

FRIDAY
Freddy Peralta (+.242)
Abner Uribe (+.086)
Joel Payamps (+.085)
Trevor Megill (+.078)
Christian Yelich (+.187)
Jackson Chourio (+.124)
Rhys Hoskins (-.173)
Willy Adames (-.081)

SATURDAY
Abner Uribe (+.086)
Elvis Peguero (+.072)
Rhys Hoskins (+.323)
Willy Adames (+.164)
Jake Bauers (-.115)
Hoby Milner (-.031)

SUNDAY
Colin Rea (+.186)
Bryan Hudson (+.152)
Willy Adames (+.182)
Oliver Dunn (.+.097)
Rhys Hoskins (-.219)
Sal Frelick (-.089)

[Jim French Stepstool]

W/O getting all analytical, I loved the defense played in the 1st three games. Looking at runs scored on balls staying in the park---IOW, without the aid of a home run, balls you were able to make a play on---the Mets scored 2 runs in three games. I have no idea if that's a 'thing' but it's something I noticed.

Unable to watch the last half of Sundays' game. Would really have liked to see the work Hudson turned in.

As for Chourio, you could see it in the first game. Not once but twice he was looking to go oppo. Doing something like that, with purpose, at age 20. And doing it successfully. I'm sure there will be rough patches, but I've seen all I need to see.

[Brian]

I seen an article where the media is already comparing Jackson Chourio to Ronald Jose Acuña Jr.   I hope its true but I know its way premature.  But every star has to start somewhere, keep up the good work Jackson. You have my vote.