This Week in Brewers' Baseball: Week Three - Bats Heat Up
Through 3 weeks of the season, the Milwaukee Brewers have shown us a couple of things. For one, their offense is wildly inconsistent, able to light up the scoreboard one day and look dead the next. Secondly, the starting pitching is worse than many thought - at least so far.
Series Recaps
Split 2 games on the road against the Minnesota Twins (L-W)
Split 2 games at home against the Minnesota Twins (W-L)
Lost 2 of 3 games at home to the Philadelphia Philles (L-L-W)
This week's record: 3-4 (8-11 overall)
Three Up, Three Down
Ryan Braun
Milwaukee's left fielder looked every bit the same as he did when he won the 2011 NL MVP as he mashed the ball all week. Braun batted .520 (13-for-25) with a .600 OBP, .840 slugging percentage and a stunning 1.440 OPS over the last 7 games.
He collected 8 RBI, scored 7 runs, added 5 walks, 2 doubles and a pair of home runs. He had at least 1 hit in each game (multiple hits in 5 contests) and an RBI in 6 of the 7 matchups.
His phenomenal week has put Braun into the top 5 in many NL categories for the season:
.364 Average (4th)
.432 OBP (4th)
1.069 OPS (4th)
15 RBI (4th)
1.1 WAR (4th)
.636 Slugging (6th)
5 Home Runs (7th)
Chris Carter
The Brewers' 1st baseman continued his impressive offensive display this week, adding another 7 extra-base hits with 5 doubles and 2 home runs as he owned a .792 slugging percentage and a 1.149 OPS in 7 contests.
Of Carter's 18 hits in 2016, 14 have been for extra bases, including an MLB-best 9 doubles and a team-high 5 HR (tied with Braun). Carter also tacked on 6 runs and 7 RBI this week, now tied with Braun with 15 total RBI for the team lead.
His .689 slugging percentage for the season is tops on the Brewers, and he ranks 5th in all of baseball in that statistic as well.
Resisting the Urge to Chase Pitches
Through April 24th, Brewers' batters have the lowest percentage of swings at pitches outside of the strike zone in the NL (21.6%). While it hasn't translated into consistent offense yet, it has helped Milwaukee to a 10.5% walk percentage, 3rd-best in the NL.
Of course, the Brewers are also swinging at the fewest percentage of pitches IN the strike zone as well, so overall patience has clearly been part of the philosophy so far this season.
Runners, Runners Everywhere
Milwaukee's pitching staff couldn't keep anyone off the base paths this week. The group combined to post an NL-worst .315 opponents' batting average and a 1.73 WHIP.
In 60 innings pitched, the Brewers allowed a staggering 78 hits, the most given up in the NL this week. As of Monday morning, it also meant Milwaukee has allowed the most hits in all of MLB this season with 196 over 19 games - that's 10.3 hits per game.
Chase Anderson
After allowing 0 earned runs in his 1st two starts (11 IP), Anderson was roughed up in a pair of starts this week. He was tagged for 10 earned runs in 9 frames (10.00 ERA), giving up 19 hits and 4 walks as he lost both decisions.
Saturday's effort against the Phillies was his worst, throwing 99 pitches in just 4 innings as he allowed 6 ER on 8 hits and 4 walks. The two ugly starts bumped his season ERA to 4.50 with a 1.650 WHIP and 12.2 hits per 9 innings (H/9).
Sam Freeman
He only tossed 2 innings in 1 appearance this week, but it was another awful performance for the lefty reliever. With the Brewers within striking distance in the 8th inning Thursday (down 4-1), Freeman gave up 4 ER to put the game out of reach.
Freeman allowed 4 hits, a walk and a HR to give him an 18.00 ERA for the week and now a 15.88 ERA in 6 appearances this season. For the year, he has allowed 19.1 H/9, a .462 opponents' batting average and a 3.000 WHIP. He may not be around much longer.
Browsing the Box Scores
1) Brewers' pitchers are the worst in the NL at handling the opponents' leadoff hitters. Players batting 1st against Milwaukee own a .350 average, .588 slugging percentage and a .990 OPS - all the highest marks in the league.
2) Entering week 4 of the season, Brewers' pitching has also given up the highest percentage of hard-hit balls in the NL at 36%. Not surprisingly, it has contributed to losses for the bottom 4 teams in this category, as they are a combined 30-44 this year.
3) Rule 5 draft pick Colin Walsh collected his 1st Major League hit on Tuesday with a leadoff double. He had been 0-for-10 to start the season, and has gone 0-for-8 since that knock. Despite a 1-for-19 start to the year, Walsh has 6 walks and a .280 OBP - better than Aaron Hill who has 10 hits (.220 OBP).
Looking Ahead...
After a day off Monday, the Brewers travel to Wrigley Field to face one of the World Series favorites in the Chicago Cubs. During the 3-game set, Milwaukee will face Jake Arrieta who is coming off his 2nd career no-hitter. The 2015 Cy Young winner is 26-6 with a 1.66 ERA in his last 37 starts.
Then the Brewers come back to Miller Park for a 3-ame series with the Miami Marlins. Milwaukee is 11-6 at home against the Marlins over the past 5 seasons. It looks like the Brewers will miss top hurler Jose Fernandez as he is scheduled to start Thursday in Los Angeles.
Offense Failing to Steal Hits
The Brewers are 1 of 2 teams in the NL without a bunt hit this season (Cincinnati Reds). Secondly, along with the New York Mets, Milwaukee owns the fewest infield hits as well (9). Milwaukee has been slightly above average in those categories the past couple of years.