Brewers keeping pace in NL Central despite injuries
Despite missing multiple key contributors, including pitchers Brandon Woodruff and Aaron Ashby as well as third baseman Luis Urias, the Milwaukee Brewers have been able to overtake the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Central with a 23-17 record.
The Brewers are getting unexpected production from multiple rookies, including outfielder Joey Wiemer and second baseman Brice Turang as well as offseason additions in pitcher Wade Miley and infielder Owen Miller.
Coming into the 2023 season the rotation, headlined by Woodruff, Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta, was expected to be the driving force behind the team's success along with some timely hitting, and that has rang true so far in the season.
Ranked in the top 10 in ERA, hits allowed and runs allowed, the Brewers are poised to be even better with a few additions from the injured list.
Adrian Houser is one of those pitchers, with two starts under his belt in 2023 to mixed results. The Brewers are hoping he can return to the same form that helped him dominate in the second half of 2022.
With Woodruff also on the mend, slated to potentially return in late June, they should have more than enough arms to make a postseason run.
While the offense has been a little underwhelming at times, the Brewers have also shown flashes of power potential.
Shortstop Willy Adames and first baseman Rowdy Tellez have provided the majority of the home run damage. Catcher William Contreras, who was acquired by trade in the offseason, and third baseman Brian Anderson are providing timely hits.
With consensus top-five prospect outfielder Jackson Chourio waiting in Double-A for his shot, the Brewers have a potential superstar in the making with the luxury of not needing to rush him to the majors.
With the Pirates fading and the rest of the NL Central scuffling, the Brewers look primed to win the division title and have a shot to make some noise in a potential postseason run.
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