This Milwaukee Breweries They are 81-57 and in first place in the National League Central Division. While some fans may not be surprised that the Brewers are as good as they are, their level of success has exceeded the expectations others had. Before the season even started, they traded Corbin Burnes, lost Brandon Woodruff to injury, discovered that closer Devin Williams had stress fractures in his back, and Craig Counsell left his hometown team for the Chicago Cubs.
Milwaukee has also lost Wade Miley and Robert Gasser to season-ending injuries since the start of the season. DL Hall, Joe Ross, Jakob Junis (since traded), and Aaron Ashby all suffered injuries that landed them on the IL. All of them (except Junis) are now relievers (Hall started over the weekend but will not be added to the starting rotation going forward).
Milwaukee Brewers bullpen is as reliable as ever
No bullpen is perfect, but with an 81-57 record, it’s challenging to deny the fact that Milwaukee’s relievers literally saved their season. With injuries in the starting rotation, the Brewers relievers were called upon to do the hefty lifting, and they did.
Not only did they rise to the challenge, they also stood out. Milwaukee’s bullpen currently ranks among the MLB leaders in the following categories:
- Number of innings played: 542.0 (4th)
- % left on base: 78.8% (1.)
- ERA: 3.27 (2nd)
- Defenses: 45 (T-2)
- Wins: 46 (1.)
As you can see, no team has denied inherited baserunners more runs than the Brewers. No bullpen has more wins, either.
The offense is much better in 2024 under manager Pat Murphy than it was last season, but the pitching has been better, too. Murphy recently revealed why.
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy reveals why his bullpen is so good
In conversation with Tom Verducci from Illustrated SportsMurphy said a key to his bullpen’s success was that each pitcher found a sense of belonging on the team.
According to VerducciMurphy said:
“It’s just a belief,” Murphy says when asked why this bullpen is so good. “Guys like Koenig and Hudson, they just know we need them. They know they play a large role for us. And I think that’s the key. They believe they belong here.
“Payamps knows he has his place, through thick and thin. Milner has always been a reliable guy. But they’re also really conscientious. They’re just good guys who know we need them. There’s a long list of guys who have contributed and they’ve all been let go. They’re all finding a home, so to speak. Even if it’s just for a year, they feel comfortable saying, ‘Hey, I’m going to pitch. I’m going to pitch in big innings in the majors. And that’s going to help me in my career.’
Many fans joke that the Brewers’ “pitching lab” is adept at turning veteran relievers and other Major League fringe pitchers into stars.
It turns out that the lab requires a lot of work (and money).
But more than the mechanics of the shot itself, it is important for players to believe in themselves and have the confidence that they play an important role in the team.
Murphy makes sure it stays that way.
Have all Milwaukee Brewers bullpen pitchers been relieved of their duties at some point?
Murphy was speaking generally when he said all of his relievers have been DFA’d at some point. After all, Williams came through the Brewers’ minor league system and is their latest high-profile All-Star closer.
However, many of Milwaukee’s relievers were rejected by other teams:
- Trevor Megill – released by Chicago Cubs in 2021; traded by Minnesota Twins to Brewers in 2023 for Taylor Floyd
- Bryan Hudson – waived and then traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Brewers for Justin Chambers in 2023.
- Jared Koenig – Oakland Athletics did not offer him a 2022 contract; signed a minor league contract with Milwaukee in November 2023.
- Hoby Milner – drafted in the Rule 5 draft by the Cleveland Indians from the Philadelphia Phillies, then traded; waived by Philadelphia in 2016; traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019; undrafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2020; signed to a minor league contract with the Brewers in November 2020
- Joel Payamps – released by the Colorado Rockies in 2015; at one point released by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, and Kansas City Royals; traded to the Brewers by the Oakland Athletics in the same trade that brought William Contreras to Milwaukee
- Bryse Wilson – released by Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022; traded to Brewers in 2023
As you can see, Murphy wasn’t exaggerating too much. The Brewers have truly turned a group of journeymen into one of MLB’s best bullpens.
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