Milwaukee Brewers: Five impact players down the stretch

Zach Davies

Davies broke out in a huge way for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2016. He showed, when he had command of his pitches, he is as tough to hit as anybody in baseball.

Zach Davies was 11-7 with a 3.97 ERA in 161 1/3 innings during the 2016 season. While those numbers may not be Cy Young caliber, he only walked 38 while striking out 135 for the Milwaukee Brewers. That performance, coupled with the improving defense behind him, were enough to have high hopes for 2017.

Although things didn’t exactly get off to a good start for Davies. His five starts in April were brutal. He was 2-2 with a rough 6.57 ERA, and he had only 22 strikeouts with 11 walks in 24 2/3 innings pitched.

May and June didn’t treat him much better. He did manage a 6-2 record, in 60 2/3 innings, over 11 starts. However, with 17 walks and only 33 strikeouts, he still wasn’t commanding the zone like he needs to. He lowered his ERA more than two runs to 4.30. The signs of improvement were all there.

He really started turning things around in July. In eight games, since July 1st, he is 5-2 with a 3.48 ERA. He has 15 walks and 36 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings pitched. That’s the key to Davies success, and he has worked deeper into games through this stretch.

That’s important for this entire pitching staff in the final six weeks. The Milwaukee Brewers will need the starters to pitch deep into games more consistently. The bullpen has been stretched to its limits. Now the rotation needs to pick up the slack.

Davies has shown, over the last month and half, his ability to get deep into games. Chase  Anderson is coming back soon and Jimmy Nelson has continued to ascend. Davies is the pitcher the Brewers need to help steady the rotation for a strong finish.