The Four Most Important Brewers For The Upcoming Gauntlet

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It’s make-or-break time in Milwaukee. With the next 8 games scheduled against division winners the Brewers will look for a stretch of competitive baseball to stay in the playoff hunt. Here are the most important players for the upcoming stretch.

Two games are all that separate the Brewers from a playoff spot with just three weeks remaining in the 2022 season. After a series victory over the Reds over the weekend, the Brewers will begin a stretch of eight games against teams leading their respective divisions. A stretch of even .500 baseball will keep the Brewers in the hunt, but these respective players are going to be key for that to happen.

1. Corbin Burnes

The Brewers have leaned on certain players in playoff chases before. Names like C.C. Sabathia, Ryan Braun, and Christian Yelich have carried the Brewers to September in the past. If anyone’s going to put the team on their shoulders this year, it’s Brewers ace Corbin Burnes. Coming off a 8-inning, fourteen-strikeout performance against the Giants, the Brewers will turn to Burnes to take the ball against both the Cardinals and Mets. If the Brewers are looking to win those games, the 2021 Cy Young will have to be on the top of his game.

2. Devin Williams

Ever since Josh Hader was shipped to the Padres, Devin Williams has taken over the closer role in Milwaukee. While it’s not reasonable to expect perfection from a closer, the Brewers might need Williams to be perfect down the stretch. With the Brewers sitting 2 games out of a playoff spot, they likely can’t afford any blown saves down the stretch. Luckily for the Brewers, Williams has pitched lights out all year, sporting a 1.82 ERA, and K/9 of 13.48.

3. Christian Yelich

Christain Yelich has carried the Brewers to the playoffs before. In 2018, Yelich slashed .370/.506/.804 in September. The Brewers offense doesn’t need that type of production from Yelich anymore, but a good offensive week from Yelich will go a long way in helping the Brewers offense score the runs necessary for a successful eight-game stretch.

4. Matt Bush

Matt Bush has posted an ERA of 3.86 with Milwaukee thus far, but the Brewers might be asking more from Bush in the coming weeks. Aaron Ashby, Eric Lauer, and Freddy Peralta all currently find themselves on the IL, so Bush may be asked to start a handful of games down in the coming week. Bush has experience starting games before, and the Brewers are going to need some quality innings out of Bush if they’re going to stop the juggernauts that stand before them.