Week in Review - Building Momentum

Weekly Snapshot

Record Last Week: 3-2 (6-2)
Runs Scored: 27
Runs Surrendered: 23
Standing:  2nd NL Central (1.0 GB)

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Game 4 | MIL 3, MN 2
Game 5 | MN 7, MIL 3
Game 6 | MIL 6, SEA 5
Game 7 | SEA 5, MIL 3
Game 8 | MIL 12, SEA 4
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Transactions

04/06/24 - Placed RHP Jakob Junis on the 15-day injured list retroactive to April 3, 2024. (Right shoulder impingement)
04/06/24 - Recalled LHP Aaron Ashby from Nashville Sounds. 
04/05/24 - Signed free agent C Francisco Mejía to a minor league contract. 
04/05/24 - Sent LHP Wade Miley on a rehab assignment to Nashville Sounds. 
04/05/24 - Claimed RHP Vladimir Gutierrez off waivers from Miami Marlins. 
04/05/24 - Optioned RHP Vladimir Gutierrez to Nashville Sounds. 
04/04/24 - Signed free agent RHP Samuel Valerio to a minor league contract. 
04/03/24 -Placed RHP Trevor Megill on the 7-day injured list retroactive to March 31, 2024. (Concussion)
04/03/24 - Recalled RHP J.B. Bukauskas from Nashville Sounds. 
04/02/24 - Signed free agent RHP Justin Lugo to a minor league contract. 
04/01/24 - Signed free agent CF Yhoswar Garcia to a minor league contract. 
04/01/24 - Sent C Eric Haase outright to Nashville Sounds.

Breakdown

After a successful opening series with the Mets, the Brewers faced the Twins in a two-game series, serving as Milwaukee’s home opener for the season. Game 1 was started by Jakob Junis, who threw four innings of one-run ball before giving it away to the bullpen. Christian Yelich added a solo homer, and Jackson Chourio and Brice Turang both drove in runs in the Brewers' eventual 3-2 win. The undefeated season would come to an end the next day, as the Twin used a five-run 7th inning to topple the Brewers. Both Joel Payamps and Bryse Wilson struggled to keep a cold Twin offense from breaking out late in the loss. The Brewers would then have the following Thursday off.

The final series of the week saw the Seattle Mariners come to town, who had dropped their first two series of the year to the Red Sox and Guardians respectively. Friday’s game was won by Milwaukee, who used three solo home runs from Oliver Dunn, Willy Adames, and Christian Yelich, who has continued his offensive tear to begin the season. The Brewers won 6-5, but only after Abner Uribe struggled in the 9th, surrendering two runs and recording his first blown save of the season. Luckily for Milwaukee, Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz had his struggles too, walking four batters in the bottom of the 9th while recording only a single out.

Seattle's pitching staff bounced back on Saturday though. Mariners starter Bryce Miller tossed seven innings of scoreless baseball, while Brewers starter DL Hall saw his pitch count rise quickly, leaving the game trailing 3-0 in the 6th inning. A Jackson Chourio two-run homer and sac fly from Rhys Hoskins made it 4-3 heading into the 9th. That's when former Brewer Luis Urias homered off of Hoby Milner to make it 5-3. Muñoz entered in the 9th, where he comfortably found the strike zone, and halted the Brewers' comeback.

On Sunday, the Brewers were clearly unsatisfied with their offensive performance, as they trounced the Mariners early. They chased Mariners starter Emerson Hancock early, racking up 11 hits and eight runs before chasing the right-hander early in the 4th. They’d lead 10-2 at the end of the frame, and end up winning 12-4. 

The Brewers ended the week one game behind the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Central, but tied for the second-best record in the National League. They’ll look to find success against the Orioles and Reds on the road next week, who have both gotten off the winning starts. 

Highlights

Jackson Chourio’s had his fair share of uncomfortable plate appearances at the MLB level this year, but the 20-year-old has shown the ability to punish mistakes from pitchers he has never seen before. He deposited his first two major league home runs last week, including the second blast below. Chourio ended the week with a season-slash line of .281/.324/.500.

It took Christian Yelich 18 games to hit three home runs last year. I took him seven in 2024. Perhaps the most majestic of the three bombs was the one he hit Friday off of Mariners starter Logan Gilbert.

Oliver Dunn has adopted the role of the unheralded rookie, but his consistent play at third base is exactly what the Brewers wanted from the Utah native. His first big-league home run came on Friday, earning a silent treatment from the Brewers dugout. 

The defense has been a calling card early. Perhaps no play was finer than this gem by Joey Ortiz made last Wednesday. 

… Or maybe it was this play by Oliver Dunn on Tuesday. You Decide.

Although it was an offensive outburst that stole headlines on Sunday, starter Colin Rea continued his strong start to the season, pitching six innings and only surrendering one earned run, all while battling a stomach virus. Thyago Vieira closed the game, earning the rare three-inning save by pitching the final trio of frames. 

Other Tidbits

• The Brewers' offense was heavily reliant on the three true outcomes last week. They clubbed 10 home runs, walked 22 times, but stuck out 45 times in five games.
• The Brewers stole eight bases last week, bringing their season total to 16. Only the Reds have more, with 18. Brice Turang leads all of baseball with seven. His heavy reliance on speed and improved offensive output have been key to Milwaukee's success early. 
• Gary Sanchez and Andruw Monasterio are now the only two players with at least one plate appearance and no hits.
• Willy Adames’ 165 strikeouts was the 10th most in the NL last year, but the Brewers SS has only struck out 4 times all season. 

3 Stars of the Week

3rd Star - Willy Adames (.278/.381/.611, 2 HR, 2 RBI, SB) 
2nd Star - Oliver Dunn (.333/.412/.667, HR, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 SB) 
1st Star - William Contreras (.444/.545/.833, 2 HR, 2B, 6 RBI)

Looking Forward

Monday, 4/08 - Brewers @ Reds (5:40 pm CDT) - LHP Aaron Ashby vs. RHP Graham Ashcraft
Tuesday, 4/09 - Brewers @ Reds (5:40 pm CDT) - RHP Joe Ross vs. RHP Frankie Montas
Wednesday, 4/10 - Brewers @ Reds (5:40 pm CDT) - TBD vs. RHP Hunter Greene
Thursday, 4/11 - Brewers @ Reds (12:10 pm CDT) - RHP Freddy Peralta vs. RHP Nick Martinez
Friday, 4/12 - Brewers @ Orioles (6:05 pm CDT) - TBD vs. TBD
Saturday, 4/13 - Brewers @ Orioles (3:05 pm CDT) - TBD vs. TBD
Sunday, 4/14 - Brewers @ Orioles (12:35 pm CDT) - TBD vs. TBD