Is It Finally Time for Everyone to Appreciate the 2024 Milwaukee Brewers?

Baseball offers multiple layers of enjoyment, whether it be through in-depth analysis, casual fandom or even watching from a coach's perspective. On a game-to-game basis, it’s understandable to feel frustrated with a player’s performance, a manager’s decisions, or the team's occasional bewildering play. However, why does it seem so challenging for a significant number of Brewers fans to fully appreciate this season's success, when their favorite club is dominating the division and competing for the top seed in the National League?

No one is claiming that the 2024 Brewers are flawless. Like any team, they have their shortcomings. Yet, if you survey the league, there isn’t a single club that stands head and shoulders above the rest. As of the weekend, no MLB team was on pace to reach 100 wins, something that hasn’t happened since 2014. Meanwhile, the Brewers are on track for 94 or 95 victories and are true contenders, as they compete side-by-side with Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies for the NL’s best record.

But this isn’t about comparing the Brewers to other teams and their weaknesses. The real story here is Milwaukee’s production and their (somewhat surprising) consistent success since Opening Day.

Consider these impressive facts:

• Milwaukee has never been more than two games out of first place in the NL Central.
• The Brewers have spent 138 days either alone or tied for first place.
• On days when they played a game, Milwaukee has been out of first place for just 11 days.
• The Brewers have led the NL Central without even being tied since May 9 – a streak of 103 consecutive days.

Each time the Brewers seemed to hit a rough patch or when other NL Central teams made a push, many fans began to doubt the team's ability to maintain their division lead. Whether it was due to mounting injuries, underperforming players, or a lackluster trade deadline, some felt that the Brewers' ship was on the verge of sinking. Even within the last week, some fans could be found asking prominent Brewers writers and podcast hosts which division rival poses the greatest threat to the club's Central primacy.

However, despite an 11-13 record in July that saw their lead shrink to five games, that was the lowest point. The Brewers have since widened their lead to 11 games over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals. They accomplished this by winning 11 of 16 games in August, including a 10-3 record across 13 consecutive games without an off day. This stretch featured two five-game winning streaks and an 8-2 record against top-tier teams like the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Guardians and Dodgers. For those who doubted Milwaukee’s ability to beat “the best teams,” those concerns have been put to rest. There is no threat to the Brewers in the division. There never was one.

Some critics may argue that the Brewers are winning with smoke and mirrors. But if you look beyond the names on the roster, you’ll see the true beauty of baseball: the ability to find talented, undervalued players who excel in their roles, often improving with high-quality coaching. When you combine these types of players with young talent, veteran savvy and recognizable names like Willy Adames, Rhys Hoskins, William Contreras and Devin Williams, it’s clear that Milwaukee’s success is no fluke—it’s a formula.

Just take a look at some of the statistics:

• The Brewers have the best run differential in the NL, at +106 (2nd overall in MLB)
• They boast the best ERA in the NL, at 3.66 (2nd overall in MLB)
• Their relievers have the best ERA in the NL, at 3.24
• The Brewers’ bullpen has the 2nd-best batting average against in the NL (.223)
• They rank 2nd in the NL in offensive OBP (.331)
• Milwaukee is 3rd in MLB in stolen bases, with 159
• They rank 4th in the NL in runs scored (4.79 runs/game)
• They lead the NL in Defensive Runs Saved (57 DRS) and have the best FanGraphs defensive rating (21.6) and Baseball Prospectus Range Defense Added (RDA)

These numbers show the Brewers aren’t just about “finding ways to win” or being lucky. This is a team with more talent than many believed, backed by a front office with a keen eye and a coaching staff that strategically maximizes both individual and collective strengths. And even when the Brewers didn’t put up the big numbers, there were other areas in which they led the league and created victories from certain defeat. It’s part of the reason Milwaukee is the only team to avoid a four-game losing streak all season.

The fact is, the 2024 Brewers are continuing the franchise’s recent tradition of being a playoff team with a shot at postseason success. Admittedly, the playoff flameouts have been terribly irritating, and it's important that the team break with that recent tradition. Perhaps having a new field general in Pat Murphy helps the Brewers finally win a postseason series for the first time since 2018. Was Craig Counsell holding them back in the playoffs?

As the Brewers battle for an opening-round bye and (hopefully) coast to their second straight NL Central title – and third in four seasons – there is plenty to watch. How much will Jackson Chourio shine down the stretch? Can one of the other young outfielders take a step forward offensively? Who will emerge as the top, reliable starting pitchers in a playoff series? Can the bullpen continue its deep, dominant performance into September and October? 

There are so many positive vibes surround this Brewers’ club, and most people never expected them to be in this position. So, is all of this enough to get you to simply enjoy the ride and root for the Brewers without the daily doubts? I, for one, truly hope you can.