The Milwaukee Brewers are gearing up to take on the Atlanta Braves as they conclude their six-game road trip through the NL East. Currently riding a wave of success, the Brewers have won three consecutive games and six of their last seven, securing the top spot in both the NL Central and MLB standings, leading the Cubs by two games.
In stark contrast, the Braves are facing challenges this season with a record of 47-63, placing them fourth in the NL East, and trailing the Phillies and Mets by 15 games. Despite their struggles, they recently celebrated a series victory over the Reds and participated in the unique MLB Speedway Classic held at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee.
The Brewers’ roster has been impacted by injuries, with Jacob Misiorowski (tibia contusion) and Jackson Chourio (hamstring strain) heading to the injured list. Additionally, Sal Frelick’s status is uncertain due to left knee soreness after leaving Saturday’s game. Other sidelined players include Rhys Hoskins (thumb sprain) and Robert Gasser (Tommy John surgery), though Gasser and Jake Bauers (shoulder impingement) are anticipated to return soon.
On Atlanta’s side, third baseman Austin Riley exited Sunday’s game against the Reds due to an abdominal injury, which he has dealt with earlier this season. The injury list for the Braves also includes Ronald Acuña Jr., who is out until late August with a calf strain, and their entire pitching staff faces injuries, complicating their performance.
Key offensive players for the Brewers include Christian Yelich, William Contreras, and Andrew Vaughn, as well as a supporting cast of Brice Turang, Joey Ortiz, and newcomers like Brandon Lockridge. The Brewers are performing at a .257 batting average with a strong showing in scoring, with 555 runs, ranking fifth in MLB.
Despite their below-average season, the Braves still showcase notable talents such as Matt Olson, Sean Murphy, and rookie Drake Baldwin, who is in contention for the NL Rookie of the Year. The Braves’ batting stats, however, indicate struggles as they hit for a .243 average.
Milwaukee’s bullpen has become a solid asset as the season progresses, led by Jared Koenig and Abner Uribe. The Brewers have a strong team ERA of 3.66, with a particularly impressive starter ERA of 3.38. In contrast, Atlanta’s bullpen features Dylan Lee leading with a 3.10 ERA, but overall, the team’s ERA sits at 4.21.
Looking ahead to the series, the probable pitchers include Quinn Priester and Erick Fedde on Monday, with Priester aiming to build on his solid performances since joining the Brewers. Other matchups include Freddy Peralta facing Joey Wentz and Jose Quintana taking on Spencer Strider.
For fans eager to catch the games, they can tune in on FanDuel Sports Wisconsin, MLB.TV, and listen to the Brewers Radio Network for coverage of the series as Milwaukee looks to extend their winning streak against the struggling Braves. The Brewers are currently favored to sweep the series, given their performance advantage in various aspects of the game.
The situation presents an opportunity for the Brewers to continue their momentum and solidify their standing ahead of the playoffs, while it may also serve as a chance for the Braves to turn their fortunes around as they look to build on their recent success against the Reds.