As the Milwaukee Brewers’ division lead shrinks, Jake Bauers is calling for calm. Milwaukee must rediscover its rhythm at the plate to hold off the surging Cubs.
The Milwaukee Brewers are unlikely to make a deep postseason run if their offense continues struggling the way it has over the last few weeks.
Milwaukee scored only seven total runs while being swept in three games by the San Diego Padres. San Diego, by comparison, scored 18 runs during the series.
The numbers don’t lie
The Brewers rank 23rd in MLB with 46 runs in their last 13 games, an average of 3.54 runs per game.
The results have reflected those offensive problems. Milwaukee is 7-6 in those 13 games.
That has allowed the Chicago Cubs to close the gap in the National League Central. Chicago sits only three games behind Milwaukee for first place and has been red-hot, with two series remaining between the division rivals this season.
If Milwaukee’s offense does not improve, the Cubs could potentially erase that advantage.
Bauers’ analysis
After the Padres completed their three-game sweep Wednesday night with a 4-3 walk-off victory, Brewers slugger Jake Bauers delivered a blunt assessment of the offense, according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Bauers said the Brewers need to relax rather than allow their recent offensive problems to create additional pressure.
“I think we need to chill the [expletive] out a little bit,” Bauers said.
The MLB season is a 162-game marathon rather than a sprint. Milwaukee finished the first half at 59-37 and has gone 15-10 in the second half despite struggling over the last two weeks.
Cold stretches are inevitable, and Milwaukee’s offense is experiencing one now. The talent remains, but the Brewers need an opportunity to reset.
Milwaukee begins a four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday before receiving a day off Monday. Shane Drohan starts tonight while the Dodgers counter with Roki Sasaki.
Bauers has done his part
He is hitting .268/.374/.499 with an .873 OPS, 21 home runs and 67 RBIs in 108 games this season.
The Brewers particularly need Christian Yelich and William Contreras to improve. If both begin producing again, Milwaukee’s offensive problems could disappear quickly. Their simultaneous struggles have instead placed additional attention on the entire lineup.
Bauers’ message carries weight because his own performance has given Milwaukee consistent production.
Milwaukee has demonstrated throughout the season that it possesses enough talent to win consistently. The immediate challenge is responding to adversity without allowing a difficult two-week stretch to become something larger.
Bauers has continued producing. Milwaukee needs Yelich, Contreras and the rest of the offense to follow.
