Brewers: 5 Bold Predictions For The 2021 Season

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 24: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates with Avisail Garcia #24 after hitting a grand slam home run off of Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies during the third inning of a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix on March 24, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 24: Christian Yelich #22 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates with Avisail Garcia #24 after hitting a grand slam home run off of Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies during the third inning of a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix on March 24, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
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Juan Nieves flashed sky-high potential but saw his career shortened by injuries.1988 Press Photo Brewers Baseball S Juan Nieves Pitches During A Game

Brewers Bold Prediction #3

The Brewers will throw their first no-hitter since 1987

That’s right, I’m predicting it. It’s been too long. It’s not a jinx because it isn’t currently ongoing, so I don’t want to hear anything about a jinx.

The Brewers only have one no-hitter in their entire franchise history, thrown by Juan Nieves back in 1987. Other teams have one or two no-hitters every couple of years, but it’s been 34 years since the Crew’s last no-no.

That drought comes to an end this year.

I know what you’re thinking, “A no-hitter is mostly about luck, not skill, so it’s impossible to predict”.

To that, I will point you to the ancient Roman philosopher Seneca, who stated “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”.

There are 162 opportunities for a no-hitter every single season, so there’s no shortage of that this year. The Brewers are as prepared for throwing a no-hitter as they’ve ever been. They signed Jackie Bradley Jr. and Kolten Wong this offseason, two Gold Glove winners who prevent a ton of hits with their excellent defense, to go along with current Gold Glovers Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich already on the roster.

Defensively, they’re quite strong at shortstop as well with either Luis Urias or Orlando Arcia at the position. The Crew’s “Run Prevention Unit” also serves quite nicely as a “Hit Prevention Unit”. After all, it’s hard to score runs if you don’t allow any hits.

As for which pitcher will throw it, it could be anyone. I won’t narrow it down to one single pitcher throwing it, because the Brewers have multiple pitchers who can. Obviously, Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes are two very strong candidates to throw the Brewers first no-hitter since 1987. They’re top of the rotation arms with the stuff to stymie hitters, go deep into games, and minimize hits allowed.

Burnes had a stretch last year where he was practically unhittable, while Woodruff has had flashes of that as well.

Another dark horse candidate is Freddy Peralta. He has no-hit stuff when he’s really on his game. Remember that early April start in 2019 against the Reds where he went 8.0 IP with only two hits allowed and 11 strikeouts? He looked practically unhittable that day and those two hits were not made from hard contact. With his nasty slider now in his mix, Peralta could throw a no-no.

There’s also a very strong possibility that it would be a combined no-hitter, with the bullpen, mainly Devin Williams and Josh Hader, closing the door if the starter can’t go all the way.

However it’s done, whoever throws it, I’m predicting this will be the year the Brewers throw their second no-hitter in franchise history. The pitchers have the stuff to do it and the defense has the gloves to help get it done.

Preparation has met opportunity.

It is time.

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