BrewCap: Brewers Battle Back & Find Themselves in Playoffs

Milwaukee Brewers are fans of the September drama. They live it, crave it and have been a part of the for the last few years. They know what it is like to deliver on big hits and big moments. The names change but the motto remains the same for the Brewers. I’m not sure what Craig Counsell tells these guys regularly, but it is something special to behold. Brewers won their fifth game in six beating the Cincinnati Reds, 3-2, in comeback fashion with some great pitching and timely hitting.
Player of the Game: Brett Anderson – Most of us questioned the Brett Anderson signing at the start of the year. We wondered if the short porch in right at Miller Park would be a problem, and many of us saw him as a gas can. Anderson hasn’t been that for the Brewers. After a home run to Nick Castellanos, Anderson was near unhittable the rest of the way. He pitched six strong innings tonight with seven strikeouts and four hits allowed.
Honorable Mention: Eric Sogard – True transparency that I cringed when I saw Sogard in the lineup tonight. Part of me wondered why since he’s been average to below-average all year. But then again Jace Peterson hit lead-off tonight. Craig Counsell knows how to push the right buttons though. Sogard went 2-for-3 with the go-ahead double to give the Milwaukee Brewers the lead which they never gave back.
One thing to think about: Bullpen showed its teeth tonight – What a performance by Devin Williams and Josh Hader tonight too. Those guys were beasty out of the pen. Williams struck out five of the seven batters he faced in two innings then Hader came out dealing as well. Don’t let the Brewers get into the postseason with this bullpen.
Hunt for October: Brewers are in 8th – Milwaukee finds themselves in eighth place after a dismal day for the Philadelphia Phillies that put them behind the Brew Crew for the eighth spot. They would play the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round if it ended today. ESPN is giving them a 70 percent chance to make the playoffs.
Next up: Milwaukee will try to finally go over .500 for the first time all year. I believe they can do it. Trevor Bauer will for Cincinnati. He is working on short day rest. Things did not go well for him on Saturday. Bauer had one good start one bad one versus Milwaukee. Adrian Houser goes for the Brewers, and the leash will be short with him.
Charlie.