Jun 8, 2022; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell looks over a lineup card in the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The beginning of June is just over a week away, but the first-place Milwaukee Brewers have some tough decisions to make before then.
Despite a relatively brutal injury bug bite, the Brewers find themselves in first place, just ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Bucs got off to a 20-8 start, but have since fallen back to earth. Milwaukee, meanwhile, has steadied, and along with the St. Louis Cardinals has been one of the best teams in the NL Central of late.
The Central is wide open, and the Brew Crew are one of just two teams with a .500 record or better in their last ten games. Despite a loss to the Houston Astros on Monday, the Brewers are fresh off a sweep on the Tampa Bay Rays, one of the best teams in baseball. Should they keep up this effort, there’s no question they’re among the frontrunners in the division, at the very least.
Considering their injury issues, though, keeping up with the day-to-day roster moves has been tough for the fanbase, let alone general manager Matt Arnold. Expect more roster fluctuation as some of those important players return.
Brewers who won’t be back: Bryson Miller or Jake Cousins
Am I taking the easy way out? Absolutely I am.
In the last week-plus, Milwaukee called up Tyson Miller and Jake Cousins to help out in the bullpen. Both have pitched admirably so far in their big-league stints, though Miller has the lower ERA in less appearances. Both are righties, and both were called up for bullpen depth.
Unfortunately for one of the two players, the likes of Matt Bush and J.T. Bukauskas should be back soon, meaning Milwaukee needs to open up a roster spot (or two). Miller is flexible considering he has experience as a starting pitcher, and can throw multiple innings as a relief pitcher. Cousins has struggled this go-around with the Brewers bullpen. He started the season hot, with a 1.37 ERA and 6.95 FIP in 4 2⁄3 innings his first time up. Now, his ERA is up to 3.68, which is respectable but trending in the wrong direction.