Relentless Means Never Too Tired: Young, Energetic Brewers Keep Outperforming Exhausted Rivals…
As the season nears its end, many teams are struggling with injuries and fatigue, but Pat Murphy’s youthful Brewers are gaining momentum.
On Monday night, in the bottom of the fourth inning, Sal Frelick faced Ranger Suárez with a 2-0 count. After Rhys Hoskins walked to lead off, Frelick anticipated Suárez, known for his precise control, would throw a hittable pitch. Suárez delivered a sinker over the plate, which Frelick smacked with impressive force, sending the ball to the right-field corner for a clean double. This hit, with a 106.6 MPH exit velocity, was the hardest Frelick has ever achieved, showcasing his impressive performance despite the challenges of his first full major league season. He also made a standout defensive play earlier in the game.
The Brewers have faced their share of difficulties, including losing key players to injuries, such as Tommy John surgeries and a season-ending back surgery for their star hitter. Despite a total payroll of $116 million, a significant portion is allocated to injured players, including Christian Yelich and others.
Nonetheless, the team has relied on young talents and some underutilized veterans. Instead of showing signs of fatigue, players like Frelick and Jackson Chourio, along with hard-hitting William Contreras, continue to perform exceptionally. Colin Rea also stepped up with an eight-out save, highlighting the team’s resilience and commitment.
Despite some critiques of Murphy’s management in his first full season, the Brewers have maintained impressive consistency. They remain the only team not to lose four games in a row this season and show no signs of being worn out. Their stats reflect their stamina: they maintain a low chase rate, high steal success rate, and solid defensive and pitching metrics.
Murphy’s approach of being relentless and focusing on each game has kept the team energized and engaged. As the season winds down and other teams struggle, the Brewers’ youth and Murphy’s effective leadership suggest they’re well-positioned to compete strongly in the playoffs.
