Summer Swoon Knocks Brewers From Their Perch

What a difference a month makes.

The Milwaukee Brewers were riding high heading into August. They’d won seven of nine coming out of the All Star break and despite closing out July with a 7-2 loss to the Red Sox at Fenway Park, began the month sitting three games ahead of the second-place Cardinals in the NL Central Division.

That surge led most observers to predict the Brewers would make a big splash ahead of MLB’s Trade Deadline but instead of picking up an impact bat or two for the stretch run, president of baseball operation David Stearns instead dealt All-Star closer Josh Hader to the Padres for two relievers — one of whom was later DFA’d — and two prospects while picking up two other relievers, one of whom might not even pitch this season.

Things didn’t go much better on the field as the new-look Brewers went into a tailspin. First, they were swept by the Pirates then dropped two to the Reds before getting a temporary reprieve with back—to-back victories over the Rays. But from there, things just got worse as Milwaukee dropped nine of its next 13 before closing out the month by taking four of six from the Cubs and Pirates.

Now, as they head into the home stretch the Brewers find themselves on the outside looking in; five games back of the Cardinals in the Central and a game back of San Diego for the third and final NL Wild Card spot.

If the Brewers want to make the playoffs for a franchise-record fifth consecutive season, they’ll need to conjure up some of the September magic that they produced in 2018 and ‘19.

In the meantime, here’s a look back at the Brewers’ August:

What Went Right

RHP Brandon Woodruff: The right-handed starter didn’t earn a decision in five but posted a 2.70 ERA with 31 strikeouts and eight walks over 30 innings of work. He’s been lights-out since returning from a month-long stint on the IL at the end of June, going 4-0 with a 2.35 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 65 innings spanning 11 starts.

RHP Peter Strzelecki: Every year, it seems, the Brewers call up an otherwise unheralded reliever to provide some depth that somehow turns into an indispensable part of the team’s bullpen. This year is no different as Strezlecki, a rookie right-hander produced a 3.45 ERA and 10 strikeouts in nine appearances.

INF Keston Hiura: As a rookie, Hiura was a key cog in the late-season surge that resulted in a Wild Card berth in 2019 but hasn’t been the same since. Milwaukee brought him back on Aug. 4 and he’s found a groove at the plate, slashing .255/.314/.638 with six homers, 11 RBIs and a .952 OPS.

What Went Wrong

Corbin Burnes: After giving up a combined seven runs in his final three starts — including a season-high five his last time out — Burnes produced a whopping 4.81 ERA in August, his highest single-month mark with at least four starts since April 2019 when his ERA stood at 10.70 after four brutal outings to start his sophomore season.

Bullpen: After trading Hader, the thought was Devin Williams could slide easily into the ninth-inning role while trade deadline pickups Matt Bush and Taylor Rogers would take some pressure off Brad Boxberger in late-inning situations. That plan has hardly come to fruition though as Milwaukee’s bullpen combined for eight blown saves during the month.

Trevor Rosenthal: As if trading a two-time All-Star closer wasn’t enough of a gamble, Stearns took on an even bigger risk when he sent outfield prospect Tristin Peters to the Giants for veteran right-hander Trevor Rosenthal, who hadn’t pitched since 2020 and was currently on the IL with a strained left hamstring. The Brewers hoped he’d be able to join the team for the stretch run but suffered a shoulder injury during a minor-league rehab assignment in likely won’t be available until a potential postseason game.

What’s Next

The Brewers spent much of the first half on the road, including a trio of three-city, 10-game road trips but all that travel pays off in September as the team will play 20 of its final 26 games at home including nine straight to wrap up the regular season.

There are challenges ahead, notably a six-game run against the Yankees and Mets along with four games against the Cardinals. The Brewers also have a double-header against the Giants on Aug. 8, which comes near the end of a stretch of 18 games in 17 days.

Still, the slate is favorable, especially compared to the Padres who will see an awful lot of the MLB-leading Dodgers down the stretch so in a way, the Brewers have a least some control over their own destiny.