Milwaukee Brewers: Can the Brewers really take the NL Central?
The Milwaukee Brewers have been sitting atop the division for virtually the entire season. Can they hold that spot until all 162 games are played?
The Milwaukee Brewers have been playing as well as anyone in the National League through nearly the first half of the season. But the Cubs and Cardinals haven’t been very far off the Brewers’ heals throughout the year. Will the Brewers sustain it into the second half, when they’re known for collapsing, and their rival Cubs are known for getting hot?
The pieces in place
For now, the Brewers look legit. Their bullpen ERA is fourth best in baseball at 2.73. Josh Hader is leading their pen in his breakout year. His ERA is just 1.13—which is higher than his absurd FIP of 0.94.
Perhaps even absurd-er, he has a K/9 of 18.15. And he’s pitched 39.2 innings, so there’s not a ton of room to cry small sample size.
Meanwhile, the rotation is doing its job. They aren’t shocking the world, but they have a respectable ERA of 3.98 which is tied for 12th lowest in baseball. Junior Guerra has been the best starter for Milwaukee with a 2.82 ERA in 76.2 innings.
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Jesus Aguilar, if not Josh Hader, is the story of the 2018 Brewers. This guy was unceremoniously dismissed by the Indians at the conclusion of the 2016 season and has become a beast for Milwaukee.
His wRC+ is an impressive 150, and his OPS is .955. Not bad for a guy claimed off waivers in the offseason.
How the Milwaukee Brewers can improve
The Milwaukee Brewers have a couple glaring holes. Their rotation isn’t that of a traditional contender. Guerra has been their de facto ace in 2018, but they could stand to add a truer ace to their staff. And there should be options out there.
You can’t talk trading for a starter without talking Chris Archer. He’s been available this time of year for the last couple seasons, but the right deal hasn’t come to fruition yet.
The Brewers could pull in Archer pretty tactfully. His 2018 ERA is 4.24, so his price tag likely isn’t what it would’ve been in 2015. If they can get Archer on the relative low, figure out what’s been going wrong and make an ace out of him, it could be one of the best trades this season.
Their other need is for a catcher. Manny Piña has been starting behind the dish most frequently for the Brewers, but he’s been awful on offense with his 74 wRC+. But once again, there should be solutions available in coming weeks.
J.T. Realmuto of the Miami Marlins is having a monster year and therefore will be the most sought-after catcher at the deadline. He’s hitting .308 with 10 home runs. If the Brewers can somehow swing a trade for Realmuto, they’ll become much more dangerous.
Next: Chicago Cubs: The slump isn’t from bad baseball
The Milwaukee Brewers have a legitimate shot to take the NL Central, but a couple of key additions could make the difference.