After years of dominating the Cubs and capturing four division titles since 2018, the Milwaukee Brewers are facing a significant early-season test. They’ve lost four of their last five games and now begin a critical six-game stretch against the White Sox and Cubs—teams tied to several of Milwaukee’s recent roster decisions.
Notably, the Brewers chose not to re-sign pitcher Colin Rea, who’s now helping the Cubs fill the void left by injured ace Justin Steele. They also failed to protect right-hander Shane Smith, who is off to a strong start with the White Sox. These decisions have put pressure on a Brewers team that’s currently 14–15 and sitting third in the division.
Since their dramatic 2018 run, when they overtook the Cubs in the final weeks and won a tiebreaker for the division at Wrigley Field, Milwaukee has largely had the upper hand—winning 54 of 95 games against the Cubs. That stretch laid the foundation for the team’s identity, according to longtime Brewer Christian Yelich.
Despite recent roster shakeups—including trades or departures of stars like Josh Hader, Corbin Burnes, and Devin Williams—the Brewers have remained competitive by developing young talent and making smart, low-cost signings. Veteran pitcher José Quintana, for example, has been a standout with a 4–0 record and 1.14 ERA in four starts. Other new faces like Chad Patrick and Quinn Priester have also stepped up in the rotation.
First-year manager Pat Murphy has emphasized fundamentals and accountability, pulling players mid-game for mistakes and instilling a no-nonsense culture that mirrors the team’s player development approach. His experience working with younger athletes has been key during this period of transition.
Although the Cubs were picked by many to win the division this year, the Brewers are sticking to their proven formula: develop talent, stay disciplined, and compete hard. Now, with six key games ahead, they hope to find their rhythm and reassert themselves in the National League Central.
Leave a Reply