Milwaukee Brewers did not make a significant move at the trade deadline. Many thought this was okay considering what happened with Chicago Cubs during this deadline period along with their rejuvenated in the past two weeks. They acquired Jeremy Jeffress back to the team from Texas for Taylor Scott. After Rangers traded Lewis Brinson and Luis Ortiz for Jeffress and Jonathan Lucroy, they’re both gone. But the former first round pick is struggling mightily at this point of the year. Can a taste of home cooking serve him well?

From the surface level, Brewers’ former closer is having a horrible year. There’s no way to work around that fact. But could the fact Texas decided to use Jeffress in early innings actually demolished his production. A majority of his time this season has been spent in low leverage situations with 28 innings pitched with a resounding 15 runs allowed with seven home runs. He only pitched three innings all season in a high leverage scenario. That isn’t much better with six runs, yet that sample size is far too small.

Let’s look at 2016 when he closed for Brewers as well as played a part in Texas’ playoff chance. He ended with 23 innings in high-level scenarios, the highest by six innings, and he dazzled holding opponents to a .156 average with only one extra base hit. He only gave up two home runs last year, and both happened in low leverage situations. Maybe David Stearns sees this and puts him back into the fire? I assume Brewers will ease him into his role though.

If anything else, Jeffress serves as help for Jacob Barnes who needs some time off from the high leverage game after a poor two months with some even worse luck thrown in there. Happy he’s back, hope he can produce.

Charlie.