Miller Park was loud today. The type of loud we’ve heard a couple times before – 2008, 2011, 2014 pre-September and now again in 2017. Miller Park can be one of the more rowdy atmospheres for baseball. And today, it really felt like the whole crowd had a feel that this team could get to the playoffs. Brewers dominated this series against Baltimore scoring 14 runs to the Orioles 3 runs. Crowd hung on every big play and drew great reactions when Eric Thames went yard or Jimmy Nelson punched another guy out. As they said in Major League, ‘The 2017 Brewers ain’t so fuckin’ bad.’

Why did it take until July 4th to see this at the ballpark? Pretty simple, people were waiting for the other shoe to drop, or Chicago Cubs to get hot. Neither has happen. This team won four of their last five games and doing it with big flies plus great pitching. Orlando Arcia is a young star, Travis Shaw continues to mash baseballs and Thames is starting to find his homer stroke again. He’s hit three homers in his last two games. Ryan Braun’s hot streak is coming and when that comes, Brewers are going to be rocking and rolling.

There are some worries with the pitching staff, but encouraging things have happened of late. Jimmy Nelson continues to pitch like a front-line starter especially at home. Nelson brought the absolute gas today getting to through seven innings while streaking out eight. Nelson struck out eight or more in his last four starts. Brewers young righty isn’t the only one whose feeling a bit on the mound as Brent Suter made quite the impression on Monday afternoon. They do have sore spots with Junior Guerra and Matt Garza yet those hopefully will sort themselves out.

Here’s the thing learned on Independence Day is the 2017 Brewers are here for good, and you better get used to fun baseball for the rest of the way through. For us who have believed for a little while now, let’s welcome the late arrivers who are going to finish the summer with great baseball. 2017 Brewers are about as fun as you can get on the field. I can’t wait for the rest of the year.

Charlie.