3 Brewers who need to turn things around before the 2026 postseason arrives

In years past, Major League Baseball’s playoffs have shown us that getting hot at the right time can make all the difference. That sentiment doesn't just apply to teams as a whole; it also pertains to individual players whose hot streaks can carry a team through a postseason run. From Yoshinobu Yamamoto posting a 1.45 ERA over 37.1 innings in 2025 to Adolis García setting a postseason record with 22 RBI, a common denominator has emerged: standout individual performances frequently play a significant role in playoff success.

In a sport where variability dominates the unpredictable postseason, having an individual step up at the right moment can ultimately be the difference between winning and going home. When that performance is unexpected, it makes it all the more important. A struggling player turning around his performance in the final weeks of the regular season and carrying it into the postseason can be a huge momentum boost for contending teams. With that in mind, let's take a look at three currently struggling Brewers whose late-season turnarounds could prove to be imperative to the Brewers' success in October.

Late-season turnarounds from these three Brewers are necessary for a deep playoff run

1. LHP Kyle Harrison

Since returning from a flexor strain in his elbow in early August, Kyle Harrison has struggled to find consistency, both in his results on the mound and in his mechanics. Over his six starts since returning, he has posted a 5.67 ERA while allowing 10 home runs, and he has completed at least five innings in only half of those outings. Additionally, his arm angle and velocity have fluctuated considerably, which is more evidence of an underlying mechanical component contributing to his inconsistency.

That inconsistency has led the Brewers to re-evaluate Harrison's role going forward. Whereas the breakout southpaw looked primed to be Milwaukee's No. 2 starter in the postseason for much of the 2026 season, it now appears as if he may not even start come October. The Brewers are reportedly exploring the possibility of using Harrison in a long relief role or at least shortening his starts to reduce his workload before the postseason. Regardless of what role Harrison covers in the playoffs, the Brewers need him to be the dominant lefty that he was through the first half of the season rather than the inconsistent starter he's been since his injury.

2. 2B Brice Turang

During the month of August, Brice Turang slashed just .175/.266/.247. He hit one homer and collected four doubles in what was by far his worst month of the 2026 season. Turang's season-long OPS dropped 62 points (from .834 to .772) during the month, which was the opposite of the 2025 campaign, when the Brewers' second baseman won the NL Player of the Month Award in August. However, just one week into September, it appears Turang has already turned a corner.

Despite the Brewers dropping their weekend series in Cincinnati, one positive to come out of those slugfests against the Reds was Turang’s improved production at the plate. He collected five hits and drove in six runs over the series, showing signs of breaking out of his recent slump. Turang is a crucial piece to Milwaukee's top of the lineup, and in order to avoid the offense falling flat in the postseason, like they did against the Dodgers in the NLCS last year, he needs to be in a good place at the plate.

3. RHP Antonio Senzatela

Since being acquired at the trade deadline, Antonio Senzatela has posted a 6.28 ERA with the Brewers. He appeared to turn a corner with a stretch of five scoreless outings across six appearances from August 15-29, but that momentum has not carried into September. Since the calendar flipped, Senzatela has allowed runs in three of his four appearances this month.

With the Brewers’ bullpen serving as one of the team’s biggest strengths, Senzatela has increasingly become a sore spot. His recent struggles may finally be catching up with him. While we included him in our most recent early postseason roster projection, Senzatela should now be considered firmly on the bubble. Depending on how he finishes the regular season, there is a real possibility he could be left off the postseason roster altogether.

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