3 overreactions to Brewers' resounding 2026 Opening Day win

On Thursday afternoon, the Milwaukee Brewers turned in their most lopsided Opening Day win since 2007 (a six-run victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers), after routing the Chicago White Sox by a score of 14–2. The result also matched the largest Opening Day margin in franchise history, equaling the Brewers’ 12–0 shutout in Baltimore to start the 1988 season.

On top of that, Jacob Misiorowski and the pitching staff made history: Misiorowski set a new Opening Day record with 11 strikeouts, while the staff tied an MLB record for a nine-inning game with 20 total. The offense drawing 10 walks and hitting 6-for-14 with runners in scoring position was also music to Brewers fans' ears.

Needless to say, the vibes are high, especially compared to last year, when they found themselves on the wrong end of a trouncing in the Opening Series against the New York Yankees, and “torpedo bats” suddenly took the league by storm.

With the new season now underway, here are three overreactions from the Brewers’ Opening Day victory.

3 overreactions to the Milwaukee Brewers' resounding 2026 Opening Day win over the Chicago White Sox

1) Joey Ortiz has put his bases loaded demons behind him

A year ago, Joey Ortiz led the majors with 31 plate appearances with the bases loaded, going 5-30 overall. Naturally, his first time up this year came in such a situation where he managed to hit a little 60 mph bleeder into shallow right field for a base knock, which tied the game early on.

After one game, it’s far too soon to say whether last season’s struggles are behind him, but the early signs are encouraging -- even if it wasn't the most emphatic RBI single. Ortiz added 15 pounds of muscle this offseason and reworked his swing, changes that could translate into more consistent contact and better results in high-leverage moments moving forward. At the very least, Ortiz can boast a 1.000 batting average with the bases loaded until at least his next appearance with three men on base.

2) Jake Bauers will be one of the most important hitters this year

After mashing seven home runs this spring, Jake Bauers picked up right where he left off on Opening Day, launching a three-run moonshot to right that blew the game open late. It’s clear his spring surge wasn’t a fluke and that he’s locked in at the plate right now, but some caution is warranted as history shows he’s a streaky hitter with a knack for getting hot at just the right times.

For Milwaukee, having him locked in right out of camp is a big boost, especially with Jackson Chourio sidelined for multiple weeks with a fractured hand. Bauers is likely to see plenty of time in left field as a result, though it's unlikely that he continues this momentum throughout the entirety of the season and magically becomes a 30-home run, 100-RBI player who paces the offense. Or maybe, this is the year it all clicks for the 30-year-old lefty slugger.

3) Pat Murphy's quantum leap prediction, David Hamilton, has already taken the next step

During Spring Training, manager Pat Murphy offered his annual prediction for which player might take a “quantum leap” and reach another level. This year, his choice was David Hamilton, who rejoined the organization in the Caleb Durbin trade after previously being dealt to Boston in 2021 as part of the package for Hunter Renfroe.

On Opening Day, Hamilton certainly looked the part. He reached base in four of his five plate appearances, an area that’s troubled him in the past, added a stolen base, and flashed his defense at third with a pair of strong plays, including an impressive barehanded charge. Still, until he proves over a longer stretch that those old habits are truly behind him, it’s worth pumping the brakes a bit after what was an extraordinary debut.