Though the Milwaukee Brewers’ pitching rotation isn’t a picture of health, the team remains near the top of the Major League Baseball power rankings heading into the second half of the season.
At 59-37, the Brewers need to go 41-25 in the the last 10 weeks of the season to reach 100 wins for the first time in franchise history. With Brandon Woodruff already on the 60-day injured list, Kyle Harrison also on the IL and the Brewers being cautious with Jacob Misiorowski’s arm, it may be difficult for the team to maintain the consistency it’s shown through the first 96 games.
But they remain in the No. 2 position – behind the Los Angeles Dodgers – in the MLB power rankings, even after getting swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Dodgers also lost all three games in their final series of the first half.
Here’s a look at why the Brewers remain among the best in baseball (last week’s ranking is in parentheses):
2. Bleacher Report (2)
Kerry Miller appears a little more concerned than most over last weekend’s losses in Pittsburgh:
“The Brew Crew had a pretty fantastic five-game series in St. Louis, including Cooper Pratt breaking through for seven hits and the triumphant return of Logan Henderson from the IL. But they lost Kyle Harrison to the IL in that series before getting swept in Pittsburgh and having Jacob Misiorowski scratched from Sunday’s start due to arm fatigue. Things could unravel in a hurry for Milwaukee if that dynamic duo is compromised for the second half.”
2. CBS Sports (2)
It’s hard for Matt Snyder to knock the Brewers when they keep winning:
“They’re on pace to win 100 games. The franchise record for wins in a season is 97, set last season. The Golden Era of Brewers Baseball continues.”
2. Fox Sports (2)
Rowan Kavner would like to see the Brewers make a significant move:
“The Brewers limp into the break after getting swept by the Pirates over the weekend, but they still have a comfortable five-game lead in the NL Central after yet again exceeding expectations.
“Jacob Misiorowski is the most overpowering starter in baseball. Kyle Harrison is the latest success story in the rotation. Brice Turang should have been the NL’s starting second baseman (though somehow neither he nor Harrison made the All-Star team).
“Now it’s time for Milwaukee’s front office to go all-in at the deadline to give the Brewers the difference-making additions they will need in October.”
2. NBC Sports (1)
D.J. Short explains why the Brewers are in position to get better despite the current issues with the pitching staff:
“Credit to the Brewers for silencing doubters with an amazing first half, but they still have areas of need. A late-inning arm to complement Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill seems like an obvious place to start, though securing some rotation help (Kyle Harrison, Brandon Woodruff injured) and third base depth figures to be on the agenda as well. The farm system is one of the best, so they are in a strong position to do whatever they want.”
2. USA TODAY (1)
Gabe Lacques still expects the Chicago Cubs to challenge the Brewers for the division:
“Glorious first half ends with a thud: Swept at Pittsburgh, and the Miz taking a little siesta. The NL Central features a five-game bulge, but it’s almost certain the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers will extend their drama long into September.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers remain near the top of MLB power rankings, but injuries loom
Reporting by Emmett Prosser, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Emmett Prosser, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
