Brewers hold the lead, but a rough week tests their edge as August winds down
Milwaukee’s long run of success hit a temporary snag after a 14-game surge, slipping to a 3-6 stretch that trimmed their division cushion from nine games to five before a 7-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 25. The Brewers remain the team to beat in the standings with at least 80 wins and hold steady atop several MLB power rankings, but observers cautioned that the recent losses—two straight series for the first time since June—have narrowed the gap with their challengers.
The week brought a dose of reality for a club that had seemed invincible. One noted issue was the workload on rookie right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, who has shown flashes of dominance but struggled to sustain it. After a strong start to his latest stint, Misiorowski’s last two outings didn’t travel as smoothly, with eight earned runs allowed over 5 1/3 innings. The pitcher has alreadylogged 102 innings between the minor leagues and the majors this season—well above what he’s totaled in any prior campaign—raising questions about fatigue and how the Brewers will manage his workload going forward.
Analysts also pointed to a human moment in an otherwise deep bullpen. The unit showed vulnerability, including two blown saves in a week, and a stretch in which the team surrendered seven runs in a key late frame before giving up a ninth-inning lead on the next day. Those hiccups helped turn a previously seamless stretch into a reminder that even top teams aren’t immune to rough patches.
Looking ahead, Milwaukee faces a potentially telling slate: a three-game set with Arizona, followed by dates with Toronto and Philadelphia. It’s a challenging sequence that could tighten the division race if the Brewers don’t tighten up down the stretch.
What to watch in the coming days
– Misiorowski’s usage and consistency: Can he rebound and maintain pace without overextending, or will fatigue surface again?
– Bullpen clarity: Will the relief corps steady itself to support a rotation that remains strong?
– Key performers’ timing: Continued production from the lineup, especially from core players who have carried the club through the season.
– Handling the schedule: How the Brewers adapt to a tough sequence and preserve their division lead in September.
Bottom line: Milwaukee has earned its place at the top with a standout season, and while a rough week tested their nerves, the club still holds a comfortable cushion. If they can stabilize Misiorowski’s workload and tighten bullpen execution, they’ll enter September in a strong position to push toward another deep postseason run.