Tim Muma

The start of a new baseball season often comes with newfound optimism and excitement for what lies ahead. While Milwaukee Brewers fans have plenty of reasons to expect a return to the playoffs and a potential postseason run, a handful of remaining concerns could create uncertainty and doubt ahead of Opening Day. Image courtesy of © Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports Despite missing the playoffs in 2022, the Milwaukee Brewers are built to win now. Their 2023 campaign begins with a loaded top of the rotation, a lineup with significant power potential, and some electrifying bullpen arms led by closer Devin Williams. But like most teams, question marks abound, and this club has five major concerns heading into Opening Day. 1) Eric Lauer's Homers and Walks The southpaw will get the ball in the third game of the opening series in Chicago, though he is truly the Brewers' fourth starter behind Freddy Peralta. Lauer has some nasty stuff and has shown flashes of brilliance, but some of his numbers over the past couple of seasons indicate future trouble, and his Spring Training outings did nothing to quash those concerns. Lauer's HR/9 rate went from 1.3 in 2021 to 1.5 in 2022, allowing 27 homers in 29 starts. Had he qualified (he was four innings short), that would have ranked second-worst in MLB. Surprisingly, this hasn't been an issue in Arizona, though he has been knocked around all spring. The corner outfielders could create problems as well, at least for now. Christian Yelich and Jesse Winker are below-average, even in left field. Yelich brings some range and occasional flashes of his younger self., though he struggles with certain fly balls. Winker, well, he's worse. Neither guy has an arm to speak of, either, with Winker ranking 200th and Yelich 261st on StatCast's arm strength leaderboard in 2022. Once Frelick or Wiemer arrive, right field will be in better hands and they can provide an option in left field, too. Until then, there will be some adventures. Will these concerns be a footnote in history, or will they lead to the wasting of another season? The Brewers don't need to be perfect to succeed, but they will need some of these potential problems to be solved in order to climb back to the top of the National League Central. View full article

The Favorite Milwaukee Brewers Bracket moves forward into the Elite Eight portion of voting. Unlike the men's NCAA basketball tourney, the favorites continue to shine and dominate the competition. You have the chance to influence the outcomes and who gets to the Final Four. Image courtesy of © Mark Hoffman / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK With only eight Milwaukee Brewers remaining, fans will likely vote for one of their favorites to defeat another. All four top seeds made it this far, but can an underdog or two steal their ticket to the Final Four? We don't have the analytics on factors influencing tough calls for voters, as loyalties will be tested in the Elite Eight. Here's the preview of the matchups with a Final Four berth on the line. YOUNT REGION #1 Ryan Braun vs. #2 Carlos Gómez Gómez had to duke it out with third-seeded Rickie Weeks, a venerable opponent with a strong backing. Ultimately, Gómez pulled away 58-42 percent, perhaps due to a combo of a high level of talent and excitement, plus some slight recency bias. Exit polls are inconclusive. Meanwhile, Braun had his best round of voting, with 88 percent of the votes in a beatdown of fourth-seeded John Axford. It shows the popularity of closers only goes so far. Some believe Gómez has what it takes to be considered more of a favorite than Braun. The voting results will tell us the story. COOPER REGION #1 Prince Fielder vs. #2 Josh Hader Hader and Corey Hart went down to the wire, with the lefty fireballer getting a few more votes in a 51-49 percent final. The voting went back and forth, with Hart looking good early, but Hader had enough to slam the door and pick up the save. It was a disappointing end for Hart's sleeper status. On the other hand, Fielder ran roughshod over his fellow left-handed mashing first baseman, Eric Thames. Prince took home 88 percent, though it was his first time below 92. Some think Hart would have been the tougher matchup for him in the Elite Eight, but Hader will throw the kitchen sink at Fielder with the Final Four in his sight. MOLITOR REGION #1 Christian Yelich vs. #3 Jonathan Lucroy Lucroy pulled off the Sweet 16 upset with a nail-biting, come-from-behind 52-48 percent victory over second-seeded Yovani Gallardo. Some watched in shock as Gallardo's contributions to the Brewers weren't enough to advance to the Elite Eight. Instead, Lucroy's popularity puts him on the cusp of the Final Four. Does he have enough juice to knock off Yelich, the top seed? Yelich is coming off his third straight win with more than 90 percent. Despite some fans who soured on Yelich over the past few seasons, he clearly still has the support of most of the Brewers backers. He is one step away from cementing his place in the Final Four. SHEETS REGION #1 Corbin Burnes vs. #2 Brandon Woodruff It's a battle of two aces, head-to-head from the mound, to find out who Brewers fans like better. This is one of those dream matchups the committee hopes to see--our version of Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout. Does Burnes's reaction to his arbitration case hurt or help him? What if Woodruff signs an extension before voting is complete? Or maybe most fans lean toward the more accomplished arm with a Cy Young on his mantle. Not to say Woodruff is far behind. Burnes beat another starting pitcher last round in Freddy Peralta, with a somewhat surprising 68-32 win. Woodruff had to get past third-seeded Lorenzo Cain. After tight voting to open the competition, Woodruff's popularity was too much as he took home a 63-37 percent victory. So which top hurler are you riding to the next round? The brackets are now in your hands, as your votes will send the winners into the Final Four of the Favorite Brewers tournament. Click below to find where to vote on Twitter, plead your case in the comments, and let your neighbor know you want to see "insert player name here" reach the Final Four. Or maybe vote against a particular guy. Either way, you get a say in this bracket. View full article

Like the NCAA basketball tournament, we've reached the Sweet 16 in the Favorite Milwaukee Brewers Bracket (2010-2019 edition). The favorites have advanced in most cases, but voting could get more interesting with no seeds below a five remaining. Image courtesy of © Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports Only 16 Milwaukee Brewers remain in the running for the title of fan favorite during the most recent decade. Your vote will count for even more as the contests tighten and arguments escalate. Two players from each region will reach the Elite Eight and sit one step away from the Final Four. YOUNT REGION #1 Ryan Braun vs. #4 John Axford Axford knocked out a starting pitcher in round one (Marco Estrada), then fellow reliever Jeremy Jeffress 61-39 percent in round two. The Ax Man has strong support, but now he runs into a position player, and it's not just any guy. Top-seeded Braun rolled past Brent Suter with 85 percent of the votes. Braun's tenure, individual excellence, and team success continues to far outweigh any criticism he might face from fans. #2 Carlos Gómez vs. #3 Rickie Weeks Both players had loud detractors, especially early in their time with Milwaukee. Ultimately, their skills and production won over the fanbase, and now they sit two wins away from the Final Four of favorite Brewers. Gómez destroyed 10-seed Keon Broxton (89-11 percent), while Weeks comfortably took 80 percent of the vote over Corey Knebel. Weeks had the longer stretch of success, while Gómez reached elite levels for a shorter time, seemingly connecting better with the fans. COOPER REGION #1 Prince Fielder vs. #5 Eric Thames In a minor upset, Thames took down Jesús Aguilar. It wasn't even as close as you'd think (58-42 percent), considering Aguilar appeared to woo the fans with his smile and goofiness. In the end, Thames' power, beard, and near-mythical arrival with the Brewers won the vote. He now faces his lefty, power-hitting first baseman counterpart in top-seeded Fielder. Prince took 92 percent of the votes over Orlando Arcia, continuing to show why many predicted him to reach the Final Four. Can Thames at least keep this contest close? #2 Josh Hader vs. #3 Corey Hart It's the end of the decade against the start of the decade. Power pitcher versus power hitter. Left-handed arm facing right-handed stick. This one could come down to the age of the voters and a preference for hitters or pitchers. Hart handled Aramis Ramírez with 83 percent of the vote, while Hader crushed Francisco Rodríguez with 88 percent. You can debate the merits of each player on the field, but "favorite" can come down to many other factors, too. MOLITOR REGION #1 Christian Yelich vs. #4 Travis Shaw Shaw used a late push to overtake Mike Moustakas 52-48 percent. Early voting had Moose in front, but the Shaw stans ultimately took over. It sets up a matchup with his MVP teammate from the Brewers' most successful run. Yelich's top-seed status looks strong with another 90 percent-plus vote. He still comes in as a heavy favorite to reach the Elite Eight. #2 Yovani Gallardo vs. #3 Jonathan Lucroy Battery mates for five seasons, Gallardo and Lucroy square off in the Sweet 16 in what figures to be a tight battle. They both had long runs with Milwaukee, consistently produced, and sold plenty of jerseys for the club. Did you know that Gallardo finished seventh in Cy Young voting in 2011, while Lucroy had the fourth-most MVP votes in 2014? SHEETS REGION #1 Corbin Burnes vs. #4 Freddy Peralta Quite the fascinating scrap in the Sheets Region, with current starting rotation pals dueling for a spot in the Elite Eight. Peralta was in a nip-and-tuck skirmish with Zack Greinke before pulling away with 58 percent of the vote. Now he gets a more recent Cy Young award-winner, the ace of the Brewers staff, and one of the top hurlers in baseball. Can Peralta's charm and smile elevate his "favorite status" over Burnes' on-field dominance? That's your call. #2 Brandon Woodruff vs. #3 Lorenzo Cain Another ex-teammate competition looks extremely close, especially after the previous round's results. Cain roughed up Jhoulys Chacín with 94 percent of the votes. Meanwhile, Woodruff had trouble putting away seven-seeded Nyjer Morgan, taking him down 66-34 percent. It just goes to show that matchups often matter more than seeding. Now Woodruff has to regroup, as he takes on a tougher center fielder and one who saw even greater success with the Brewers. It's also another battle involving a recent Cy Young candidate (Woodruff fifth in 2021) and MVP candidate (Cain seventh in 2018). There are just 16 Milwaukee Brewers to choose from, and your vote will determine the outcomes. Will all the top seeds advance to the Elite Eight? Which upset victories are most likely to happen? Who has the longest odds to win a contest in the Sweet 16? Be a part of all these answers. Click below to select your winners, comment on why, and share the links to push your guys through to the Elite Eight en route to the Final Four and the championship. View full article

And now the second half of the bracket is ready for round-of-32 voting in the Favorite Milwaukee Brewers Bracket (2010-2019 edition). The Molitor and Sheets Regions each saw a notable upset in the opening round. Will any of these underdogs advance to the Sweet 16? Image courtesy of © Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC Overall, these two regions saw lower margins of victory in the first round, even among the top seeds. That could indicate the favorite Milwaukee Brewers are in for tougher battles in their quest to reach the Sweet 16 and beyond. Closer results mean your votes count even more! MOLITOR REGION #1 Christian Yelich vs. #8 Scooter Gennett Gennett edged 9-seed Domingo Santana by just a handful of votes in the opening round to get 51 percent. While Scooter fans can be happy about the victory, Yelich in the round of 32 is a formidable foe. The top seed in the Molitor Region earned 95 percent of the vote and figures to be on cruise control into the next round. #4 Travis Shaw vs. #5 Mike Moustakas The committee anticipated this second-round tilt between the two large, left-handed hitting third basemen (who also dabbled at second base). Shaw might have taken some offense to the acquisition of Moose in 2018, but the Brewers made it work by moving them around the diamond. Moustakas became an instant fan favorite, while Shaw had staked his claim for a year and a half before the newbie joined. I know some in the committee who never grew to love Shaw. Is there a niche group that feels the same, or will his production over multiple years be enough to outlast Moustakas? #3 Jonathan Lucroy vs. #11 Nori Aoki So far, the biggest upset of the tourney was Aoki's 52-48 percent win over six-seed Lyle Overbay. Aoki's unique style, coupled with being the only Japanese player to come directly to Milwaukee, must have stuck in the fans' memories. Lucroy sped past Mike Fiers with 89 percent, though some thought that was lower than expected. The former backstop is still a heavy favorite, but Aoki fans could have their sights set on a stunning run to the Sweet 16. #2 Yovani Gallardo vs. #7 Will Smith Like Lucroy, Gallardo didn't reach 90 percent of the vote in his opening-round win over Casey McGehee. Is Gallardo a weaker two-seed than we thought? The positive for him is a favorable matchup against a relief pitcher in round two. Smith took down Randy Wolf with 61 percent of the vote in the southpaw hurler contest. Smith certainly has fans in his corner, but without the "closer" label like some of his fellow relief mates in the bracket, it's difficult to see an upset in round two. SHEETS REGION #1 Corbin Burnes vs. #8 Manny Piña The former battery mates meet up in round two, with Burnes as a heavy favorite. Piña knocked off fellow catcher Yasmani Grandal with relative ease (63 percent), arguing for team loyalty as a significant factor for fans. Burnes expectedly demolished Jonathan Villar with 93 percent, making his mark as a true top seed. The Cy Young hurler has eyes on bigger things than just the Sweet 16, but he has to take that step first. #4 Freddy Peralta vs. #5 Zack Greinke It's an intriguing contest between two talented starting pitchers. Recency bias and familiarity could influence younger fans to choose Peralta. The older Brewers backers might feel nostalgia and joy from the Greinke experience early in the decade. Peralta is the close, early favorite as voting begins. Greinke only received 71 percent of the votes in his first matchup, while Peralta hit 91 percent against a similarly inferior opponent. #3 Lorenzo Cain vs. #11 Jhoulys Chacín Another 11-seed defeated a six-seed, as Chacín knocked off Chase Anderson by a 54-46 margin. It seems Chacín got votes for his recent success with the Brewers, though maybe some felt more ill will toward Anderson. Either way, it was likely the winner would hit a buzzsaw in Cain in round two. With 92 percent of the votes in the opening round, Cain looks destined for a Sweet 16 berth and a shot at the Elite Eight, regardless of who he faces. #2 Brandon Woodruff vs. #7 Nyjer Morgan Morgan cruised past Junior Guerra with 86 percent, which is not too surprising considering Morgan's place in Brewers' postseason history. No word if "Tony Plush" drew in some additional write-in votes. He will need help to get past Woodruff as one of the current Brewers in the bracket. Woody has all the tools to earn massive votes to get to the Sweet 16 and further. Some think this matchup could be close early, but Las Vegas is counting on a large margin of victory. That gets us through the second round in all the regions, so make sure you vote to get your favorite Brewers into the Sweet 16. Click below to find the Molitor and Sheets Regions for voting and sharing the chance to participate. The Sweet 16 will really start to get the arguments brewing. View full article

100% agree on the K/BB ratio in terms of some value in Spring Training. Varland has the stuff to be a contributor now, you just wonder about the lack of experience and who are you sending out? Maybe someone comes down with "arm fatigue" for a couple of weeks to start the season until they get a chance to figure out who steps it up in the big leagues.

With just over a week left before Opening Day, the Milwaukee Brewers still have some challenging decisions regarding their active roster. Though the 26-man roster will change throughout the season, who begins the year in Milwaukee will impact the present and future. Image courtesy of © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports The Milwaukee Brewers have plenty of locks for their Opening Day 26-man roster. As is often the case with competitive teams, some thoughts and questions remain in a few areas, mostly about depth and fringe options. It's getting close to crunch time for the front office, and there are five roster thoughts on many minds. 1) Gus Varland The 26-year-old pitcher was a Rule 5 draft pick from Los Angeles Dodgers. The Brewers must keep him on the active major-league roster for the entire season, or else offer him back to the Dodgers for a small cost. As much as the organization likes Varland, it's difficult to see the Brewers keeping him in the bullpen with a competitive team bound to play many close games. Varland has never pitched above Double A, and he's had an up-and-down Cactus League run. He's been a strike-throwing machine, with a 16.2 K/9 rate to go with just one walk. However, he has given up seven hits and three home runs in five frames. Strzelecki would likely be the only one who might get shuttled out at times, but that's just one slot to maximize throughout the season. Of course, injuries (and "alleged" injuries) allow them to get new relievers onto the active roster during the year. Things would get interesting if two or three guys without an option struggle immensely early in the season. Do the Brewers risk losing guys like Payamps, Guerra, or Wilson to call up Jake Cousins, Elvis Peguero, or Justin Yaeger? The depth exists for now, but it could come at a price down the road. Which roster situation are you most interested in? Do any of them give you the most cause for concern? Share these and any other thoughts on the Brewers' roster in the comments as we inch closer to Opening Day! View full article

Round two action is underway in the Favorite Milwaukee Brewers Bracket for the era centered on 2010-2019. We'll look at the matchups in the Yount and Cooper Regions first, as the first-round winners vie for a Sweet 16 berth. Image courtesy of © Rick Wood / USA TODAY NETWORK The battles should get tighter in the round of 32, but the higher seeds are still heavy favorites. Both the Yount and Cooper Region are devoid of starting pitching, perhaps a knock on the Milwaukee Brewers' rotations last decade. Check out the round two battles and vote for your favorites to advance to the Sweet 16. YOUNT REGION #1 Ryan Braun vs. #8 Brent Suter Some fans were upset Suter got such a tough draw with a matchup with a top seed in round two. They each won with 80 percent of the vote in round one, but no one gives Suter much of a shot against one of the most productive players in franchise history. #4 John Axford vs. #5 Jeremy Jeffress It's a showdown of top relievers with big followings for their ability, production, and personalities. One set records early in the decade, while the other was a versatile, shutdown arm at the end of the decade. It's an interesting choice for the fans. #3 Rickie Weeks vs. #6 Corey Knebel Weeks coasted to victory on 81 percent over the underperforming Manny Parra. Knebel offers a stiffer challenge but might not have enough "closer rep" for the upset. Knebel played a crucial role in the recent postseason runs, but Weeks was a core piece for many years. #2 Carlos Gómez vs. #10 Keon Broxton Broxton pulled off the lone first-round upset in the Yount Region, knocking off Jimmy Nelson 51 percent to 49 percent. It sets up a matchup with a fellow fast, dynamic center fielder in Gómez. The difference is that Gómez provided much more for longer; that doesn't guarantee "favorite" status. COOPER REGION #1 Prince Fielder vs. #8 Orlando Arcia Arcia had to claw his way to victory 52-48 percent over his fellow shortstop, Jean Segura. He should be happy to get a 'W.' Meanwhile, Fielder had the biggest vote percentage in the opening round (97 percent) and looks poised to coast into the Sweet 16. #4 Jesús Aguilar vs. #5 Eric Thames Teammates from 2017-2019, the big first basemen are now competitors with a Sweet 16 spot on the line. Thames hit more homers as a Brewer, but Aguilar had more fun. This one could come down to the wire and be determined by personal preference on why a player is your favorite. #3 Corey Hart vs. #6 Aramis Ramírez Ramirez could be considered among the best free-agent signings by the Brewers, and he enjoyed a comfortable win (64 percent). Hart spent his first nine seasons in Milwaukee as a consistent power and on-base performer. His 94 percent vote in round one says Hart could be a sleeper to make it into the Final Four out of the Cooper Region. Both guys put up similar production in their time with the Brewers. #2 Josh Hader vs. #7 Francisco Rodríguez Another closer contest--this one with a couple of huge names. Both guys were among the best in MLB history during their primes, but Hader holds the edge in Milwaukee. Some were surprised K-Rod had an easy 70-30 win in round one, though Hader took in 83 percent himself. It would be hard to see an upset, and it would set up an intriguing matchup in the Sweet 16. Your favorite Brewers need your vote. Click below to find the regions' Twitter threads and share them with other fans. View full article

Round one contests wrap up in the Sheets Region in the Favorite Brewers Bracket. Unsurprisingly, most higher seeds are advancing from the first three regions, but could this group be different? Image courtesy of © Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports Twelve pitchers and catchers reside in the Sheets Region, as they fight to make it to the next round. Once voting finishes here, the Favorite Brewers Bracket will pick up steam in the round of 32, where decisions will get tougher. Which of these 16 Brewers will you push through with your vote? #1 Corbin Burnes vs. #16 Jonathan Villar The only pitcher who earned a top seed, Burnes was great in relief in 2018, awful as a starter in 2019, and is now among the top few pitchers in MLB. The 2021 Cy Young's popularity took off the past three seasons, with dominating numbers like a 2.60 ERA, 11.83 K/9, and 14.3 fWAR, all tops among MLB starters since 2020. He even had fans on his side regarding money, amid his and the Brewers' arbitration case. Villar was an exciting player in his first year in Milwaukee, with 62 stolen bases and 32 doubles. The tide turned quickly over the next two seasons, with fans frustrated by his baserunning blunders and defensive struggles. He even took some heat for being a part of the Jonathan Schoop trade fans bemoaned in 2018. #8 Manny Piña vs. #9 Yasmani Grandal There was a buzz in 2019 when the Brewers signed Grandal as a free agent, though it was a one-year deal. His power and on-base combo as a catcher, along with his framing skills, gave the Crew a legitimate backstop. He hit 28 homers (career high) with a .380 OBP in his one season in Milwaukee. Piña is the other side of the position, a consummate professional and great teammate whose defensive skills kept his career alive. He played six years for the Brewers, cutting down base runners and coming up with enough clutch hitting for fans to take notice. Piña hit 13 home runs with a .439 SLG in 2021, his last year in Milwaukee. #5 Zack Greinke vs. #12 Chris Capuano It was huge news when GM Doug Melvin traded for Greinke, who won the American League Cy Young Award two seasons earlier. Greinke was solid in his one-and-a-half seasons, with a 3.67 ERA and 9.9 K/9. His quirky personality endeared some fans, but he might have gained the most significant following when he called out St. Louis Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter: "His attitude out there sometimes is like a phony attitude...a lot of guys on our team don't like Carpenter," he famously said. Capuano pulled in some nostalgia votes to earn a 12-seed, especially since his best years were before 2010. He threw over 215 innings in back-to-back seasons and won 18 games in 2005, leading some to believe he was better than his numbers showed in six seasons with the Brewers. #4 Freddy Peralta vs. #13 Chris Narveson Narveson spent five seasons with the Brewers, with average-at-best results. He did make 28 starts for the 2011 squad, with a 4.45 ERA. That wasn't terrible for a fifth starter throwing 161 innings at the time. Like a number of recent Brewers, Peralta is loved nearly as much for his personality as his ability. He owns a 3.18 ERA the past three seasons, with an All-Star output in 2021 (147 ERA+) that garnered true Cy Young talk early in the year. The flair, the fun, and the fastball have made Freddy a sneaky favorite among the fans. #6 Chase Anderson vs. #11 Jhoulys Chacín Chacín was terrific in the Brewers' 2018 season, posting a 3.50 ERA in 35 starts. His unexpected success boosted the club's push for a division title. However, things went off track fast in 2019, and he was released in August. Anderson was the Opening Day starter in 2018 after a phenomenal 2017, with a 2.74 ERA (160 ERA+) and 1.09 WHIP. He struggled some down the stretch and, surprisingly, was left off the playoff roster. Anderson followed a similar path in 2019. Overall, he was a solid four-year starter in Milwaukee with a 3.83 ERA in 118 appearances (112 starts). #3 Lorenzo Cain vs. #14 Chris Carter Carter was the prototypical "slugger" in his only season in Milwaukee. He tied for the NL lead in homers (41) in 2016, but also whiffed a league-high 206 times. He owned a decent .321 OBP and quality 113 OPS+, but the strikeouts were too much for some fans to care enough about him as a favorite. Fans loved the free-agent signing of Cain before the 2018 season, bringing in a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder, World Series champ, and former Brewers farmhand. Cain was at the top of his game in 2018 with a .395 OBP, 30 steals, and elite defense to earn an All-Star nod and MVP votes. He then won his first Gold Glove the following season, offering tremendous value despite a disappointing offensive year. Cain's personality and all-out style brought him even more love. Only the awkward ending to his time in Milwaukee hurt his seeding. #7 Nyjer Morgan vs. #10 Junior Guerra Guerra put together a respectable résumé in his four-year run in Milwaukee. He owned a 2.81 ERA in 20 starts in 2016 as he seemed to outpitch his "stuff." It earned him the Opening Day start the next season, but he had trouble staying healthy. Guerra regained value in the bullpen in 2019, though it didn't seem fans were too attached. Morgan cemented his place in Brewers' lore for his walk-off Game 5 NLDS hit in 2011 to earn Milwaukee its first postseason series win since 1982. He was a valuable part-time player that season (.304/.357/.421) and had a special personality that came out with his alter-ego, Tony Plush. Morgan was fun and unique, making many fans smile, but others cringe. Some blamed his call-out of Albert Pujols as a reason for the Cardinals' win over the Brewers in the NLCS (a little silly). His 2012 didn't go as well, and while it was fun for a bit, his run with the Brewers ended after the season. #2 Brandon Woodruff vs. #15 Martín Maldonado Maldonado, a backup catcher in Milwaukee, was praised for his cannon arm and defensive skill. Fans appreciated what he brought to the table, but not enough to be anyone's favorite. Woodruff's talent and bulldog mentality had fans buying in early. He was a beast out of the bullpen in 2018 but hit star-level popularity when he blasted a home run off Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 of the NLCS. The crowd, and Woodruff, went bonkers. Since then, he has been one of the best starters in baseball. A two-time All-Star, Woodruff finished fifth in Cy Young voting in 2021 and owns a 2.84 ERA (146 ERA+) and 1.01 WHIP over the past three seasons. If he signs an extension with the Brewers, his fan-favorite status could rise further. That closes out the entire first round. Get your votes in for the Sheets Region below and keep your Favorite Brewers alive. Second-round action will begin soon as we march our way to the Final Four and eventual champion! Check out the full 64-player bracket below. View full article

It's time to open up voting for the third of four regions in our Favorite Milwaukee Brewers Bracket. With half the field of 64 revealed, another 16 men square off with eyes on reaching the second round. Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports The Molitor Region features one current player on the Brewers, though it's a big name. Ten position players fill this portion of the bracket, with a few potential second-round matchups that would draw a lot of interest. Of course, you have some control over who advances. After you scroll through the contests, choose your favorite Brewers to advance. #1 Christian Yelich vs. #16 Matt Albers There was some debate about Yelich's top-seed designation, as many fans have expressed their distaste for his production-to-salary ratio. But his 2018 and 2019 seasons were epic, he continues to be a significant part of the club, and countless fans remain ardent supporters of him personally and professionally. Albers often gets the "big boy" vote as he makes it seem possible that any body type can work in MLB. After getting fired up to get out of a jam, he prompted Dan Plesac to remark that Albers "Just stepped in a big ol' bucket of sassy!" #8 Scooter Gennett vs. #9 Domingo Santana On the opposite end of the size spectrum, Gennett gained fans because of his below-average size. The same fans also championed the former 16th-round draft pick as an underdog, and indeed, he had an improbably strong four-year Brewers tenure. Santana burst onto the scene in 2017 with 30 bombs and an .857 OPS. A part of the Carlos Gomez trade, Santana had the look of an All-Star hitter with discipline (.371 OBP in '17), but he never found the same level. #5 Mike Moustakas vs. #12 Khris Davis Davis displayed effortless power in his stick, with 37 doubles and 22 home runs in 2014, then 27 homers with a .505 slugging percentage in 2015. But his weak arm, health concerns, and the Brewers' outfield depth made him expendable in a trade to an AL team with a DH slot. Moustakas came to Milwaukee near the 2018 trade deadline to add veteran leadership and another power bat for a playoff run. He came through big-time in the NLDS, with a walk-off single in Game 1 and a .916 OPS for the series. He also blasted 35 homers with 30 doubles the following season ,as fans loved yelling "Moose" and applauding his hard-nosed style of play. #4 Travis Shaw vs. #13 Zach Davies Shaw played an integral part in the Brewers' recent postseason success, averaging 32 home runs, 28 doubles, and an .844 OPS in 2017-18. He was somewhat unassuming and undervalued at times, though he felt the love from fans when his newborn daughter had medical issues. Like many, Shaw fell from the peak quickly, left, and returned to the team before retiring after last season. Davies drew praise for pitching effectively with below-average velocity and the appearance of a teenager. He won 17 games in 2017 and finished with a 3.55 ERA in 2019, but the fans never genuinely connected with Davies. #6 Lyle Overbay vs. #11 Nori Aoki Overbay sneaks into the bracket on a technicality. He finished his career with the Brewers in 2014, but his "real" years with Milwaukee came 10 years earlier. It's easier to be a fan favorite when the crowd can chant "O" and hold their hands above their heads in a circle. He was a doubles machine with an MLB-best 53 in 2004 (a franchise record) and an .841 OPS in his first two seasons with the Brewers. Aoki landed in Milwaukee as a 30-year-old rookie from Japan and did what was asked of him: get on base. In his two years with the Brewers, Aoki had a .355 OBP and averaged 80 runs, 28 doubles, and 25 stolen bases. #3 Jonathan Lucroy vs. #14 Mike Fiers Fiers owned a 3.66 ERA in Milwaukee, starting 56 games across five seasons (15 relief appearances). He was a solid contributor when healthy but is more remembered for two other things: hitting Giancarlo Stanton in the face and throwing a no-hitter 22 days after being traded to the Houston Astros. Lucroy, like Overbay, had fans calling his name ("Luuuc"), especially as one of the best-hitting catchers in club history. A consistent performer, Lucroy shares the team's doubles record with Overbay and also set the MLB record for two-baggers as a catcher in 2014. The two-time All-Star was a reliable backstop and slashed .284/.342/.436 as a Brewer. #7 Will Smith vs. #10 Randy Wolf Wolf became vital to the Brewers' 2011 NL Central championship as the 34-year-old, soft-tossing southpaw spun a 3.69 ERA in 212.1 innings (most on the team). He was also solid the previous season, proving to the fanbase that an old guy with no arm can compete. Smith also threw with his left arm but had plenty of velocity and the "slider of death." Smith appeared in 154 games between 2014-2015, shutting down the opposition in many high-leverage situations, posting a 147 ERA+ in 2015. He also won fans over with his comedic-gold interviews of buddy Brett Phillips, who sadly didn't meet the requirements to make the field. #2 Yovani Gallardo vs. # 15 Casey McGehee A consistent, high-quality workhorse, Gallardo won the hearts and minds of Brewers fans. The franchise leader in strikeouts (1,226), Gallardo had four straight seasons with 200 punchouts, and he posted an ERA+ of 108 or better in seven of his eight seasons with the Brewers. Though he made only one All-Star team, he remains one of the best pitchers the Brewers have drafted and a fan favorite. McGehee was a solid contributor with an .823 OPS between his first two seasons in Milwaukee with 104 RBI in 2010, but he fell off the table in 2011 (.626 OPS). With questions about his defense and work ethic, the Brewers shipped him to Pittsburgh, and with many on the committee having an "oh yeah, him" reaction, McGehee fell to the 15-seed. There you have it! You now have three-quarters of the first round in play. Click below and vote for your favorite Brewers in the Molitor Region. Or, you know, vote against guys that you don't like. Either way, vote! Polls close 24 hours after they open on Twitter. View full article

Go for it! The first time I ran a Brewers Brackets (Most Despised Brewers of All-Time), I had my own little blog and encouraged people to comment, send emails or post through Facebook. No worries at all.

With voting in the Yount Region complete, the Favorite Milwaukee Brewers Bracket continues with the Cooper Region. Unlike in your NCAA pool, you can influence the outcome of these contests. You will have 24 hours to cast your vote as we eliminate another eight players. Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports Thanks to those who voted in the Yount Region. If you want to know more about the tournament's setup, click this link to see the details and reasoning behind the selections and seedings. As for the brackets in the Cooper Region, maybe not coincidentally, six Brewers who manned first base found their way into this group of 16. Fans have some intriguing decisions to make with a few of the matchups below. You can check out how the seeds break down and how to vote at the bottom. #1 Prince Fielder vs. #16 Matt Garza With a combination of size, strength, and a boyish grin, Fielder was a beloved figure. He had lots of pressure heaped on him (partly as a Major Leaguer's son), and he came through with flying colors. He's the only Brewer with 50 homers in a season; holds the franchise's single-season RBI mark (141); and leads several all-time franchise categories. Fans thought they wanted Garza to help the rotation, but things got ugly after one season, and his attitude didn't help. #8 Orlando Arcia vs. #9 Jean Segura An All-Star in 2013, Segura caught fans' attention with his speed and aggressive style with 44 stolen bases. Some saw him as the shortstop savior, but two years later, he was gone. Arcia actually was touted as the future with top prospect status. He thrilled fans with flashy defensive gems and clutch base hits while they dreamed of his ceiling. Arcia didn't reach such a peak as Segura, but many still loved his energy and were upset when the Brewers traded him. #5 Eric Thames vs. #12 Keston Hiura If the committee only factored in 2019, Hiura would be a top-three seed. As fans have grown frustrated over the past few years, the love for their once-highly-touted bat has waned. Are there enough loyalists to pull off the upset? It's a tough matchup with Thames, the mythical, Greek god-looking lefty who burst onto the scene. The beard demanded attention, and he entertained the masses with bombs and biceps. #4 Jesús Aguilar vs. #13 Adam Lind For such a large man, Aguilar was a goof whose smile and teammate shenanigans matched his production during his first two seasons in Milwaukee. Some will think the All-Star (35 homers in 2018) deserved a higher seed as a fan favorite. A fellow first baseman, Lind's one Brewers season was productive (.820 OPS, 123 OPS+), but he was unassuming and might be best known for helping the team acquire Freddy Peralta in a trade. #6 Aramis Ramírez vs. #11 Wily Peralta Peralta looked like a breakout hurler in 2014 (3.53 ERA), but instead, he declined thereafter. Fans quickly turned from optimism to negativity--another pitching prospect who came up short. Ramírez produced precisely as expected. He led the league in double (50) and owned a .901 OPS his first year in Milwaukee, before his production dipped in his age-35 and -36 seasons. If you got past his Chicago Cubs history, you appreciated his consistency and lineup value. #3 Corey Hart vs. #14 Kyle Lohse Sometimes overlooked among his prospect buddies, Hart was a two-time All-Star in his nine Brewers seasons. In his final three years, he combined for a .514 SLG and .857 OPS. He was an extra-base machine, ran well, and had the appreciation of many fans as the quiet assassin complementing Ryan Braun and Fielder. Lohse was strong his first two years in Milwaukee (3.45 ERA), but seemed to have a bad rep among fans. It might have been the sting of former veteran pitchers altering fan perception. Some likely don't remember Lohse pitched in Milwaukee. #7 Francisco Rodríguez vs. #10 Tyler Thornburg Thornburg was on track to be a long-time stud reliever for the Brewers after his 2016 season (199 ERA+, 12.1 K/9). He had the stuff and mentality to thrive in the closer's role. He lost 2017 due to injury, and then Milwaukee traded him for Travis Shaw. Speaking of stud relievers, Rodríguez (K-Rod) is fifth on the franchise all-time saves list (95) and was vital in the 2011 season as a setup man. If not for his "30 pitches of terror" messing with fans and some off-the-field assault allegations, K-Rod would likely have been a higher seed. #2 Josh Hader vs. #15 Jim Henderson Hader was the ultimate weapon early in Milwaukee, called upon to put out fires late and pitch multiple innings. He was as dominant as any reliever in history to start a career, first all-time in WHIP, H/9, and opponents' batting average (.139), as well as top-six in six other major categories. Hader was appointment viewing with his lightning heater, biting slider, and unique delivery that included lots of flow. Henderson didn't stand out quite so much, but he saved 28 games in 2013 with a 144 ERA+. Fans related to him as more of a "regular guy," but his career quickly derailed as his career ended after the 2016 season. Click below to get in your votes for your favorite Brewers coming through the Cooper Region. And feel free to make your case for guys in the comments. Maybe you can convince a few fans to pull for your guys in round one. View full article

I know the team was trying to look into an option of polls on the page itself, but as of now, it's not part of the system. You can feel free to put your votes in the comments section and I will count them just the same!

In fact...looking at my notes, I did initially have each of them higher, but I did not want to only go with my opinion. There was a lot of late movement in each region.

Again...I think people don't realize that with certain guys, there are plenty of fans who just don't get the love for some players - whether it be personality, performance or whatever. Maybe we got it wrong with Suter and Perez, but they are far from universally loved in the fan base from what I see/hear.

Here's the thing...while a group of fans LOVED him, there are quite a few that are annoyed by the things he did. Not dissimilar to Tim Dillard. That's the tough part. I get your point, though, it's unlikely a 1 gets upset before the Sweet 16 at the earliest.

It's the time of the year when NCAA basketball brackets rule the sports world, including in baseball clubhouses. To get in the spirit of March Madness, and kill some time before Opening Day, we have our own Milwaukee Brewers bracket where you will influence the outcome. Image courtesy of © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports I've run an "All-Time Milwaukee Brewers" bracket in some of my previous writing stops. Now it's time to stick to the modern version of the franchise we (sometimes begrudgingly) love. We have 64 players - 32 pitchers and 32 hitters - as we try to determine your favorite Brewers from 2010-2019. To qualify for the bracket, pitchers had to have at least 85 innings pitched during that decade, while hitters required 250 plate appearances. Some things to keep in mind when you're voting: You can vote based on their entire Brewers' career, even if it happened outside of the 2010-2019 timeframe. Example: Corbin Burnes' performance from 2020-2022 led to his high seed, even though his 2018-2019 were uneven You should vote for your favorite player in each matchup, not just who was the "better" player. Sometimes average players create a cult following that All-Star guys never acquire Conversations with many Brewers fans of varying ages and interest levels in the team determined seeding. Remember, this is meant to be fun, and if some of the seeds are a bit "off," that hopefully means a few upsets, just as there are in the actual NCAA tournament. With all that in mind, you will vote one round at a time as we pare it down from 64 players to the Final Four and, ultimately, the fans' favorite Milwaukee Brewer from 2010-2019. We will reveal the matchups by region, and naturally, for Brewers fans, we begin with the Yount Region. #1 Ryan Braun vs. #16 Mark Reynolds Sixteen seeds never really have a chance in the opening round, and someone had to go against Braun. We all know why he is a top seed, though some in the committee wanted him lower due to his PED issues. Reynolds seemed like a nice enough guy in his one season, but fans hoped for a 2009 version (44 home runs); instead, he hit half that many, with a .196 average. #8 Brent Suter vs. #9 Dave Bush As quirky lefties go, Suter had a nice run of success in his seven years with the Brewers. But his personality and fun videos with teammates upped his "favorite" quotient for seeding. Bush had a niche fanbase who bought into his peripheral numbers and waited for a breakout. His most memorable moment came before this decade, getting the first Brewers' postseason win in 26 years. #5 Jeremy Jeffress vs. #12 Marco Estrada Estrada earned the respect of fans during the 2010s by getting the most out of his talent. He spent five seasons in Milwaukee, posting a 113 ERA+ in 2013. Jeffress brought fun, excitement, and passion to the ballpark on top of his terrific output. He could have easily been a higher seed as a fan favorite, especially factoring in his 43 saves and 157 ERA+ across seven seasons with the Brewers. #4 John Axford vs. #13 Adrian Houser Axford sported the facial hair and personality to thrive in the closer's role in Milwaukee. The Ax Man has the single-season franchise record for saves (46) and is third on the club's all-time list (106). A three-seed would've been in play if Twitter was more prominent in the early 2010s. Houser doesn't have much that stands out about him, other than a nasty sinker--but it's among the best in baseball. As a "hurler," he still needs to choke down his couple of yaks on the mound in his career. That's why a win from him would be an upchu--er, upset. #6 Corey Knebel vs. #11 Shaun Marcum Marcum caused the committee trouble in seeding. His two regular seasons with the Brewers were tremendous, and he was instrumental in the Crew's 2011 NL Central title. But his postseason failure torpedoed the club, and the committee had no clue how he was as a person. Did he ever talk? An All-Star as a closer (39 saves), Knebel had filthy stuff, as he anchored a couple of the best bullpens in club history. He was fun to watch, got pumped up, and gave it his all each time out--always a quick way to endear oneself to fans. #3 Rickie Weeks vs. #14 Manny Parra During his 11-year run with the Brewers, Weeks was part of the franchise's return to success. He owned a quick and powerful stick, plus that distinctive bat waggle. His combo of on-base skill and slugging were elite at second base, as he posted an .829 OPS (122 OPS+) from 2009-2011. Parra had the same upside as Weeks on the pitching side. He showed tremendous flashes featuring lights-out stuff, but he never put it all together. The committee wasn't sure if his scuffle with Prince Fielder helped or hurt his seeding. #7 Jimmy Nelson vs. #10 Keon Broxton Broxton brought youthful energy to the club and a tantalizing skill set. A rangy center fielder with speed on the bases and some pop in his bat intrigued the fans. He had a couple of solid seasons before Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain showed up. Nelson looked poise to enter "ace" status with a terrific 2017, a precursor to Burnes and Brandon Woodruff. It would have been a great story of draft and development success for the Brewers, but Nelson destroyed his shoulder so severely on the base paths he was never the same. #2 Carlos Gomez vs. #15 Hernán Pérez Pérez has a group of fans who will hate his seeding. They valued his versatility and loved his dugout antics with his teammates. Still, the committee acted more "meh" and "blah" when discussed. Gomez skyrocketed into popularity when things clicked in 2013. That season was electric, earning him a Gold Glove, an All-Star berth, and MVP votes. His fan-favorite profile was raised by his tremendous power, blazing speed, cannon for an arm, infectious personality, and a propensity for chaos. Gomez was an authentic gem who loved to play and appreciated the fans. There you have it! The first eight matchups of the Favorite Brewers Bracket (2010-2019) in the Yount Region. Every vote counts to try and advance your favorites into the round of 32. So take to Twitter to influence the outcome of the bracket! View full article