One statistic shows how hot Brewers have been

Just how good have the Milwaukee Brewers been in August? One number tells the whole story.

With Milwaukee's 4-1 road win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, the Brewers captured their 21st win in August, moving to 21-8 this month. That 21st win marks the 10th time in franchise history that the Brewers have won 20 or more games in a calendar month and the first time it has happened since September 2019, when the Brewers went 20-7. 

Saturday's win tied the franchise record of 21 wins in a month, accomplished in June 1978 (21-9) and August 2011 (21-7). It also lowered the Brewers' magic number to clinch a postseason berth to 10 ahead of the Cincinnati Reds hosting the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night.

With a Sunday game in Toronto, a Milwaukee victory would set the franchise's record for wins in a month.

Milwaukee's dominance this month has helped the Brewers open up a seven-game lead over the Chicago Cubs in the National League Central ahead of the Cubs playing in Denver against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night. 

As good as Milwaukee has been in August, the Brewers got even better on Saturday as outfielder Jackson Chourio was activated from the injured list, adding more pop to the Milwaukee lineup. The 21-year-old Chourio had been shelved since July 29 with a right hamstring strain.

Inserted into the two-hole in the order on Saturday, Chourio wasted little time making an impact, hitting the first pitch he saw from Toronto starter Kevin Gausman deep to center field. However, Blue Jays center fielder Myles Straw made a leaping catch to keep the ball in the park.