Cardinals Cut Brewers Lead in Half, National League Central Week in Review

Aug 19, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Mike Fiers (center) relaxes in the dugout after pitching 7 innings giving up one run to pick up the win as the Brewers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1 at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee Brewers

It was a tough week for the Brewers even though they were facing two reeling teams.  The Toronto Blue Jays came into their two-game series with the Brewers with a 4-11 record in August and left with a split that included a 9-5 drubbing of the Brewers on Wednesday.

The Pirates were a more respectable 8-11 in August coming into their series in Milwaukee, but had lost 7 of their last 8 prior to the series with the Brewers. They pounded the Brewers to the tune of 18-5 in the first two games of the series before Mike Fiers shut them down in the finale to give Milwaukee a win.

The Brewers went just 2-3 on the week, and had off days on both Monday and Thursday. They saw their lead in the National League Central division shrink from three games at the start of the week to 1 ½ games by the end.

The pitching staff (and defense on Friday) conspired to give up 27 runs in the Brewers three losses on the week. 27 runs is how many they gave up in the 11 games prior to the three-game losing streak.

This week the Brewers are heading out west for a three-game series Monday to Wednesday with the 60-69 San Diego Padres. After an off day on Thursday they’ll go to San Francisco for three games with the 68-61 Giants.