Has Pedro Martinez become a Brewers fan?
While the majority of the TBS MLB postseason pregame show revolved around Game 2 of the Philadelphia Phillies-Los Angeles Dodgers series, the all-star panel had plenty of praise and kudos for the Milwaukee Brewers in a segment devoted to tonight’s Oct. 6 matchup with the Cubs at American Family Field.
The six-plus minute block of time predictably began with the updated injury status of Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio, but the majority of the Brewers-Cubs commentary revolved around the Brewers being relentless putting the ball in play and putting heat on the opposing defense. The Hall of Famer Martinez is enjoying the Brewers’ style of play.
“This time of the year, pitching, defense and timely hitting is what gets you to win and this is what exactly describes the Milwaukee Brewers,” Martinez said. “They don’t strike out.”
On social media earlier this week, Martinez praised the Brewers’ ability to make contact and picked Milwaukee to win its first World Series.
“I believe in the Milwaukee Brewers,” the Hall of Famer added. “I really believe this is a team that is going to cause hazard against any team.”
Though they allowed three solo home runs to the Cubs’ lineup, the Brewers scored nine runs in their Game 1 victory without hitting the ball out of the ballpark. Jimmy Rollins explained why the Brewers are going to be a tough out in October:
“(Brewers manager) Pat Murphy was a head coach in college and baseball is a kids game played by adults and he’s got them buying into the style that’s maybe more college. We’re not going to hit home runs but are going to apply pressure.”
Pregame show host Adam Lefkoe predicted William Contreras would hit a home run in Game 2 off of Cubs starter Shota Imanaga.
Chicago native and former Brewer Curtis Granderson added the Cubs still have a chance to turn the series around because of their relief corps:
“Their bullpen has actually been very solid. It was overshadowed in that Padres series because they don’t throw as hard, but they get outs. The Brewers got out to such a big lead in Game 1, we forgot about that.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pedro Martinez praises Brewers’ style of play on TBS pregame show
Reporting by Emmett Prosser, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
