The Milwaukee Brewers are gearing up for a crucial three-game series against the Washington Nationals, hoping to turn their fortunes around after a challenging month of July.
The Brewers finished July with an 11-13 record and faced a series of setbacks, including injuries to key players like outfielder Christian Yelich. Despite these challenges, Milwaukee still holds a five-game lead in the National League Central as they head into August.
Manager Pat Murphy acknowledged the team’s struggles but emphasized the importance of staying focused and resilient during tough times. With Yelich and several relievers sidelined with injuries, younger players like Brice Turang, Joey Ortiz, Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, and Jackson Chourio will need to step up and fill the void.
Yelich, the 2018 NL MVP, offered words of encouragement to the younger players, urging them to stay true to their game and play with confidence, even in the midst of a playoff race.
To bolster their pitching staff, the Brewers acquired veteran right-hander Frankie Montas from the Cincinnati Reds. Montas, who has had a challenging season so far, will start the series opener against the Nationals.
On the other side, the Nationals will send Jake Irvin to the mound. Irvin has been solid in his recent outings, bouncing back from a rough stretch earlier in the season.
The Nationals are coming off a four-game losing streak, including a tough sweep at the hands of the Arizona Diamondbacks. All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams stressed the importance of having a solid game plan and executing it effectively in order to get back on track.
As both teams prepare to face off, it promises to be an exciting series with playoff implications on the line. The Brewers will look to maintain their lead in the NL Central, while the Nationals will aim to turn things around and get back in the win column.
Overall, it’s a critical matchup for both teams as they look to position themselves for a strong finish to the season and secure a spot in the postseason.
