The Milwaukee Brewers have built one of MLB’s strongest pitching staffs despite spending much of the season without several important arms.

Milwaukee has been dominant overall.

After setting a franchise record with 97 wins last season, the Brewers are on pace to surpass that total and potentially reach 100 victories.

With 18 games remaining, Milwaukee owns an 88-56 record, the best mark in MLB.

The offense has also been remarkably efficient.

Despite hitting the fewest home runs (133) in MLB, the Brewers have scored the third-most runs (726).

Their pitching staff, however, has been the biggest factor separating them from the rest of MLB.

That success has come despite significant injuries.

Quinn Priester was lost before the season began, while Brandon Woodruff suffered a right shoulder injury.

Woodruff had been pitching well before going down, posting a 2.98 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in 45.1 innings over nine starts with 47 strikeouts.

The 33-year-old has spent his entire nine-year career with Milwaukee.

His injury history remains a major concern.

Woodruff has not completed a full season since 2022 and did not pitch at all in 2024.

He is also only under contract through this season after accepting a $22 million qualifying offer during the offseason.

Woodruff recently began a five-week throwing program and still has a chance to return this season.

Tim Kelly from Bleacher Report noted Saturday that Woodruff has posted a 3.11 ERA since returning from right shoulder surgery performed in October 2023.

The bigger problem has been availability as he has made only 21 starts since then and most recently dealt with recurring shoulder inflammation.

Another surgery initially appeared possible, but enough healing occurred for Woodruff to begin throwing again after a month.

“Since returning from the shoulder surgery he had in October of 2023, Brandon Woodruff has a 3.11 ERA,” Kelly wrote.

“The problem is, he’s only made 21 starts, with his latest injury a reoccurrence of pitching shoulder inflammation. The good news for Woodruff is that while he initially appeared headed for another shoulder surgery, he showed enough healing to start throwing again after a month.”

Manager Pat Murphy said on Aug. 22 that there was only a low possibility of Woodruff returning in 2026, but he did not completely rule it out.

Even a relief role could help Milwaukee in October while also giving Woodruff an opportunity to demonstrate his health before free agency.

Getting him back in any capacity would strengthen a team with World Series aspirations.

For Woodruff, the stakes are equally significant.

When healthy, he brings experience, composure and the ability to attack hitters without becoming overly predictable.

He understands how to sequence pitches, change speeds and work efficiently through difficult situations.

His familiarity with Milwaukee also matters.

Few players understand the organization, coaching staff and expectations better than someone who has spent his entire career there.

That experience could make a transition into a limited postseason role easier if his shoulder responds well.

Woodruff does not need to return as the pitcher he once was immediately.

He simply needs to show that his arm is healthy and that his command, competitiveness and ability to get important outs remain intact.

Everything now depends on how his throwing program progresses over the coming weeks.