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Milwaukee Brewers Christian Yelich does the unthinkable using Bob Uecker bat 1 Aug 15, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Milwaukee Brewers designated hitter Christian Yelich (22) runs the bases after hitting a solo home run in the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Milwaukee Brewers: ESPN’s Jeff Passan Says Brew Crew Playoff Success Would Make Baseball Better

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By John Sbisa | Last updated Aug 16, 2025 1:40 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers overcame an 8-1 deficit against the Reds to win their 13th straight on Friday, tying a franchise record. As the magical run continues, ESPN’s Jeff Passan said earlier this week that, as a self-proclaimed “baseball purist,” he is rooting for the Brewers to succeed in the postseason. He believes the sport would benefit from seeing it happen.

Brewers check most boxes for bona fide playoff threats, play fundamentally sound baseball

In yesterday’s comeback, and in fact during this month so far, the Brewers displayed impressive power. Christian Yelich had a two-homer game using his Bob Uecker bat. Andrew Vaughn (of course) launched a three-run shot to get Milwaukee back in the game. All in all, the lineup totaled seven extra base hits.

That’s not exactly this team’s identity, though calling out the Brewers for lack of pop has lately been one of the best ways for baseball fans to make themselves look foolish.

Talking with radio and live-stream host Jim Rome, ESPN insider Jeff Passan listed the things he looks for in playoff teams, traits that happen to match the core of Brewers baseball.

“I try and focus on three different areas,” Passan said . “Area number one: do you play clean defense? The Milwaukee Brewers absolutely do. Area number two: do you put the ball in play? The Milwaukee Brewers absolutely do.”

To that point, their .260 batting average ranks second in MLB, and they have struck out the sixth-fewest times. On top of that, they also draw walks (seventh-most, boosting a second-ranked OBP) and steal bases (also second with 133).

Milwaukee Brewers Ranked 21st on ESPN Lineup List: What Happened to Last Year's Productive Crew? 1 Apr 1, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second base Brice Turang (2) slides into second base as Kansas City Royals second base Michael Massey (19) get the force out in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

That’s not all, of course, that primes them as a playoff contender. “Area number three, of course, is the bullpen, and the Brewers have about as deep of a power-arm bullpen, outside of the Padres, as exists in baseball,” Passan said.

True, as he acknowledges, the lineup lacks a true 40-homer threat, like some contenders have, but that hasn’t been a problem for the offense overall, which has scored 113 runs during the 13-game win streak. Recently, that fact has not been evident even in the power department specifically: Brice Turang, of all hitters, remains tied for the National League lead in homeruns this month. After Friday, Yelich has 25 on the season, plus 86 RBIs.

Milwaukee Brewers: Brice Turang Back in Lineup, Batting 6th, After Leaving Tuesday's Game with Pinky Discomfort 1 Aug 12, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) hits a solo home run in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

“They play just such a good, clean brand of baseball, that I love watching the Brewers play,” Passan beamed, absence of a Homerun-Derby slugger notwithstanding. “It’s teams like that, that for me as a baseball purist, I want to see go out and succeed because baseball is a copy-cat game, and if there are more teams that can play that team-oriented baseball, that can put the ball in play, that go out there and be good defensively, I think the game is better for it.”

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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