Season Countdown: 34

Manager Craig Counsell. 7/30/2022

 The Milwaukee Brewers have 34 games to decide whether they qualify for the postseason a fifth straight year or are left to ponder what happened to a season that began with abundant hope.

 Over the first 50 games, the Brew Crew was 32 - 18.  Since then they have won 37 and lost 42 (through Wednesday).  

 What happened?

 How do they turn it around?

 From my seat, it seemed the long stretches where starting pitchers and the relievers had to be perfect to keep the team on course are a factor.  That's manageable for a week or two; yet a bad formula for a winning season.

 The pitchers lost their edge in August and the previously reliable defense took a nap.  A team based on run-prevention couldn't win zero to zero games.

Since the end of May, Milwaukee lost its lead to the St. Louis Cardinals who got as hot as the summer in their home city, building a six-game lead on the Brewers. 

That's not insurmountable but it seems more likely for the Crew to earn a spot as a wild-card team than topple the Red Birds.

How do they bounce back?

The team needs to hit.  Former Most Valuable Player Christian Yelich has to build on his recent streak of better hitting and re-discovering his power.  He had 7 hits in 10 at bats Saturday and Sunday with two home runs; if he can come close to that the next five weeks, they have a chance.  

As Yeli goes, so go the Brewers.  As he heats up, it takes pressure off teammates.  This season had World Series expectations, they need to get back to having fun.  Last night, rookie call-up Garrett Mitchell hit his first home run and the team beat Pittsburgh in walk-off fashion.  I hope it indicates the team has pushed the re-set/fun button and are ready for a nice ride into October.

On their side is manager Craig Counsell who has a record of strong finishes, 66 wins against 44 losses in September since the 2018 season.  Each season ended with the Crew in the playoffs.

24 of the final 34 are at home, it would be nice to see home-cooking do some good for Counsell's Crew and extend the team's post-season streak.

Photo by David Mossner.