The Milwaukee Brewers’ bullpen has transformed from a depth concern into a significant asset as they progress in the postseason. Following a series of injuries that struck key pitchers, the team faced uncertainty in their relief corps. However, several players have stepped up remarkably, leading to one of the best relief units in the league.
Injury Challenges and Emerging Leaders
On August 15, DL Hall was placed on the injured list (IL) due to an oblique injury. Shortly thereafter, on August 24, Trevor Megill, a pivotal part of the bullpen, suffered a flexor strain. Megill had recorded 30 saves with a stellar 2.54 ERA prior to his injury, making his absence deeply felt. Just over a week later, Nick Mears also hit the IL, leaving the Brewers’ bullpen in a precarious situation.
Remarkable Performances
Despite these setbacks, other relievers have stepped in effectively. Abner Uribe proved to be a capable replacement for Megill, posting a 1.38 ERA and five saves in 13 innings. However, with Uribe moving to the ninth-inning role, other bullpen members were required to elevate their performance.
Jared Koenig emerged as a valuable high-leverage option down the stretch. Aaron Ashby also played a crucial role, pitching 16 innings across 12 games in September. The team relied heavily on other pitchers, including Erick Fedde and Joel Payamps, to share the workload during this challenging period.
Strong Bullpen Statistics
- Milwaukee finished the regular season with the sixth-best bullpen ERA in the league.
- They ranked fourth in FIP- and xERA.
- No other postseason team surpassed them in these categories.
Megill’s Return and Postseason Impact
Megill made his return on the final day of the regular season, striking out two batters in a flawless inning. Although his velocity was not fully restored, he managed to average 98 mph in his postseason debut. Coach Pat Murphy opted to keep Uribe in the ninth-inning role, where he excelled by striking out the side in his first postseason appearance in two years.
Koenig, while allowing a home run in a recent game, contributed with multiple outs in the following match. Additionally, both Chad Patrick and Jacob Misiorowski have emerged as effective options. Misiorowski, despite some control concerns, showcased his potential with a three-inning scoreless outing while hitting speeds up to 104 mph.
Potential as a Postseason Weapon
The Brewers’ bullpen, once a question mark, is now a formidable force. With Megill regaining strength and other pitchers showing great promise, their collective potential is promising as the postseason progresses.
The team possesses a diverse array of talent, including Ashby and Koenig as high-leverage lefties, while Megill and Uribe form a potent late-inning duo. Their recent performances against the Cubs demonstrate their capability; in one of their postseason games, Brewers’ relievers combined for 7 2/3 innings of shutout baseball, highlighting their readiness to dominate.
In conclusion, elite bullpens are crucial in October baseball. The Milwaukee Brewers enter every postseason game with confidence in their bullpen, indicating their potential to advance further in the playoffs if they can score sufficient runs. If sustained, this relief corps may very well carry them deeper than ever expected.
