Jimmy Nelson has always been a mediocre pitcher in his career, punished by the long ball and walks. This year he’s taken a step forward for the Brewers and could even be considered the team’s ace after a stellar performance this weekend.
The Milwaukee Brewers used to have an ace.
Yovani Gallardo led the team in wins each year between 2010 and 2014. But after being traded to the Rangers in 2015, his reign as the team’s go-to pitcher concluded.
Now, after a multitude of auditions from several different players throughout the past three seasons, Jimmy Nelson might be the guy to receive the part after his performance Sunday against the San Diego Padres. He tossed his first complete game, allowing just six hits and whiffing 10 in a 2-1 victory.
Sunday was just one of multiple impressive performances Nelson has had in recent weeks. Over his last five starts, the right-hander posted a 2.02 ERA with 41 strikeouts and just nine walks. Two of those starts came against the red-hot Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks. Each rank in the top six in runs scored.
Nelson doesn’t have the best ERA on the team this season, but his 85 innings pitched and 85 strikeouts are the most on the team. He also has given up fewer home runs compared to previous years.
Looking at his career numbers, Nelson probably shouldn’t be pitching this well. He’s always had issues with walks and home runs, a key reason why this is the first year his ERA sits under four. But those rates have diminished this season, even though he’s still had stints of mediocrity on the mound.
Only one Brewers pitcher can challenge Nelson for the top spot in the rotation, and it’s an unlikely one.
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Chase Anderson has probably been the best overall starter on the team, even though Nelson boasts better numbers in some categories. The former Diamondback owns almost identical numbers to Nelson other than a lower WHIP and a lower strikeout rate.
Like Nelson, Anderson has never pitched a full season with an ERA under four, so there is still skepticism on whether the right-hander can keep this up. But he has pitched a lot better than he has in recent years in nearly every category – he’s tallied more strikeouts than ever and has yielded fewer home runs.
Both pitchers have carried Milwaukee to the top of the division. Well, the offense has helped as well, thanks to sluggers like Eric Thames and Travis Shaw.
But for a team that has had a middling rotation since the turn of the decade, it is always promising to have two pitchers that can give quality starts on a nightly basis.
Both Nelson and Anderson probably won’t keep this up in the long run. Considering that Anderson has been hot and cold for the past two months, I’d put money on Nelson to be the go-to guy if the Brewers wind up in the postseason.
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But there’s still plenty of season left and anything can happen.