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Milwaukee Brewers: Start the Second Half Against the Dodgers

ByMatthew Long|
MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 23: Norichika Aoki's of the Milwaukee Brewers sunglasses, cap and glove sit on the steps on the Brewers dugout during during the sausage races in the game against the San Francisco Giants at Miller Park on May 23, 2012 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 23: Norichika Aoki's of the Milwaukee Brewers sunglasses, cap and glove sit on the steps on the Brewers dugout during during the sausage races in the game against the San Francisco Giants at Miller Park on May 23, 2012 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Mike McGinnis/Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Brewers open the second half of their season at home against the Dodgers this weekend. The opening series is followed by a three game series against the Nationals starting Monday.

Can the BrewersTurn It Around?

The Milwaukee Brewers ended the unofficial first half of the season losing seven of their last eight games to the Marlins and the Pirates. The next six games can go along way in determining if the Brewers buy at the trade deadline or hold steady until the off-season. While 2 1/2 games is not an insurmountable lead to conquer, a slow start to the second half could change the front office’s strategy this trade deadline.

The Dodgers Series

The Milwaukee Brewers will see a lefty-heavy pitching rotation from the Dodgers this weekend with Rich Hill facing off against Wade Miley tonight. Followed by Clayton Kershaw going up against Chase Anderson Saturday. Alex Wood and Brent Suter close out the series on Sunday

The Brewers also get the chance to welcome the newest Dodger to the team tonight as they face off against newly acquired Manny Machado.

First Half Offensive Stats

Jesus Aguilar put together an MVP quality first half leading the team in batting average at .298, home runs with 24 and RBIs with 70.

Lorenzo Cain was also a major offensive contributor in the first half, leading the team in on-base percentage at .393 while hitting .293 with eight home runs and 18 stolen bases.

Christian Yelich has been as good as Cain has so far this season hitting .292 with a .364 OBP. Yelich also has 11 home runs and 12 stolen bases.

Travis Shaw saw a dip in his batting average this season but has maintained his power numbers through 91 games. While his average is at .245 Shaw has 18 home runs this season with 55 RBIs, with a .342 OBP .473 SLG and .816 OPS

Offensive WAR Leaders

  • Jesus Aguilar- 3.3 (T-24th in MLB)
  • Lorenzo Cain- 3.2(T-26th in MLB)
  • Christian Yelich- 2.9
  • Travis Shaw- 2.2
  • Eric Thames- 1.6
  • Jonathan Villar- 0.9

First Half Pitching Stats

Suter and Jhoulys Chacin are tied for the team lead in wins with eight apiece. Chacin is 8-3 while Suter is 8-6 this season.

Junior Guerra has the best ERA out of the four starters who have made the majority of the starts. Guerra has a 3.23 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP with 96 strikeouts in 97 2/3 innings.

Anderson is 6-7 this season with a 3.78 ERA and 1.17 WHIP. Anderson has been burned by the home run this season, surrendering 19 home runs in 104.2 IP. Allowing 1.6 HR/9, up 0.7 HR from last season.

Next: Should Jimmy Nelson pitch for the Brewers in 2018?

Josh Hader and Jeremy Jeffress have been the most dominating Brewers relief pitchers. Hader has thrown 48 innings so far and has struck out 89 batters. That’s good for a 16.69 K/9. While Jeffress doesn’t have the strikeout numbers he is still shutting hitters down at the plate. His ERA is down to 1.34 and his WHIP is 0.89. He is tied with Hader for the team lead with 14 holds.

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