Brewers ride Turang’s breakout as momentum carries them into September
Milwaukee has paced itself toward a strong finish, turning a 56-40 first half into a 29-12 stretch since the calendar flipped to the second half. Sitting a game back of the Cubs in the NL Central, the Brewers have leaned on a thriving run through their middle infield to fuel the surge.
The centerpiece of Milwaukee’s rise has been second baseman Brice Turang. A 23-year-old who debuted with the club in 2023, Turang was recognized early for his defense. He quickly established himself as a standout at second base, earning praise for his range and reliability. His bat, however, lagged early on. In 2023, his OPS was just a .585, and while his defense kept him in the lineup, it wasn’t enough to lift his overall numbers.
Milwaukee’s 2024 season changed that dynamic. Turang’s defense remained elite, earning him the NL Gold Glove at second base and the Platinum Glove for the best overall fielder in the league. Offensively, he showed progress too, posting a .665 OPS. It wasn’t broadcast as explosive power, but it marked a notable improvement for a player who had built his reputation on defense first.
Through much of 2025, Turang’s OPS hovered in the mid-.700s—solid for a middle infielder whose value comes from defense and on-base contact. By the end of July, he sat at .703. Then August happened. Turang caught fire, batting .343 with ten home runs for the month, a surge that marked him as one of baseball’s hottest hitters at the time. It’s a development many expected to normalize, given his status as a former top-100 prospect with a track record of learning and growth.
What’s behind the sudden jump? Analysts suggest it’s a young player finally finding his footing at the plate—an easier adjustment for a player with his tools, but likely not a sustainable home-run pace every month. The power spike appears to be risky to bank on, but the broader trend—improved approach and continued elite defense—could keep Turang as a valuable contributor for Milwaukee.
The Brewers’ lineup has started to reflect that reality. Turang’s rising offense, paired with his longstanding defensive prowess, gives Milwaukee a dynamic middle-infield anchor that can drive a lineup deeper in the season and into potential postseason pressure.
Looking ahead, Milwaukee faces a meaningful test against a Phillies club that has shown it can compete with top opponents. Philadelphia arrives after a cross-country trip that included a high-profile Sunday evening game and an afternoon flight Monday, a schedule wrinkle that could factor into early series play. The Phillies have had success against Milwaukee in recent meetings, including a late-May visit to Citizens Bank Park where the Brewers claimed a three-game set, underscoring Milwaukee’s readiness to challenge top competition.
For Philadelphia, the task is clear: find a way to counter Milwaukee’s depth and Turang’s climb at the plate, and prove they can win on the road against a team playing with growing confidence. For Milwaukee, the objective is straightforward as well—keep Turang productive, protect his defense, and maintain the momentum that has propelled this team from a strong first half into a potentially even more impactful finish.
Key points to watch
– Brice Turang’s continued balance of defense and offense: elite middle-infield defense with the potential for steady, if not explosive, offensive contributions.
– The Brewers’ ability to sustain their late-season surge and translate regular-season momentum into post-season performance.
– The Phillies’ mobility after travel and their approach against Milwaukee’s pitching staff.
Summary and outlook
Milwaukee’s mix of standout defense and a growing offensive floor, led by Turang, has positioned them for a strong finish in 2025. If Turang maintains his recent hitting, and the Brewers continue to leverage their depth across the lineup, Milwaukee could be well-placed to challenge for playoff success. The upcoming series against Philadelphia should provide a meaningful barometer of how far this club has come and how far it can still go.