Milwaukee Brewers: Offensive woes continue

Starting pitching was the big question mark during the off-season but after seventeen games, it’s the offense that has been the main issue for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Not scoring runs

The beginning of the Milwaukee Brewers season has been highlighted by errors, injuries and lack of consistent run production.

Four players in the opening day lineup have missed some time due to injuries, and it’s one the reasons the team’s offensive production has been inconsistent to say the least.

The Brewers have scored 56 runs in 17 game, which means they are averaging just over 3 runs per game. They are 6-3 in games where they score four runs or more. The team is ranked 11th out of 15 National League teams in total runs. They are also ranked 14th in on-base percentage, 11th in slugging percentage, and 10th in on-base plus slugging.

Going into the season, this was a team built to score a lot of runs. Many viewed the Brewers as one of the most potent offenses in major league baseball. Through seventeen games, their bats have been as cold as the Wisconsin weather.

Reliance on the home run

In addition to not scoring a lot of runs, they once again have a reliance on the home run ball. The home run has accounted for 18 of their 56 runs. In other words, thirty-two percent of their runs scored have come from the long ball. The acquisitions of Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain seemed to be pointing the offense in a different direction. This was a direction that relies less on the home run ball and more on getting on base.  So far, that has not been the case.

It is still very early in the season, and because of injuries the Brewers have had very few opportunities to start the same lineup they had on Opening Day. If the team can get Yelich, Ryan Braun, and Cain all in the lineup at the same time on a consistent basis, the offensive fortunes of this team should turn around. Unfortunately, we are not at that point yet.

Next: Christian Yelich Back, Jorge Lopez Optioned Down

Without more run production, the Milwaukee Brewers will continue to put pressure on a starting rotation that can’t consistently get through six innings and a bullpen that has been used a considerable amount to start the year.