How the Brewers should handle their difficult upcoming schedule

Riding a red-hot 12-game winning streak, their second double-digit run of the season, the Milwaukee Brewers are about to be tested. They’re entering a demanding stretch of 19 games in 18 days, featuring eight matchups against current playoff teams. Even the other games against sub-.500 opponents won’t come easy, as many of those teams remain just a few games out of the final NL Wild Card spot.

The Brew Crew will kick things off on the road in Cincinnati against the Reds and then in Chicago, where they will play five games in four days against the Cubs. Afterwards, they return home for series against the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants, but then cap off this brutal stretch by traveling to Toronto to take on an impressive-looking Blue Jays squad.

Unfortunately for the Brewers, they'll kick off this critical stretch with a depleted outfield. Isaac Collins is expected to miss time while on the paternity list, and Blake Perkins has reportedly been placed on the bereavement list, according to his MLB transaction page. With Jackson Chourio still on the mend from a hamstring injury, the team is reportedly calling up Steward Berroa to help the outfield group while presumably forcing Christian Yelich into left field temporarily.

On a more positive note, the Brewers are entering this demanding stretch in relatively strong shape on the pitching front. Their core rotation is nearly at full health, with Brandon Woodruff doing well after a planned short outing. Jacob Misiorowski is nearing a return, and Robert Gasser could be back by the end of the stretch. Meanwhile, the bullpen is well-rested, with key high-leverage arms Trevor Megill and Abner Uribe both having last pitched on August 9.

How should the Milwaukee Brewers handle their upcoming difficult schedule?

It’s natural to feel some concern heading into this challenging stretch, but as manager Pat Murphy often says, the Brewers will take it “one pitch at a time, one day at a time.” The team may lean on longer piggyback starts, utilizing long relievers like DL Hall and Aaron Ashby, especially with Jacob Misiorowski returning at some point and possibly Robert Gasser as well. It's likely that either Chad Patrick or Tobias Myers will deliver a spot start at some point. Even still, Murphy’s approach will ultimately be dictated by game flow. And if there’s a chance to win, you can count on him to go all in.

From a position player standpoint, Murphy has done a strong job managing workloads, strategically giving players rest days even while pushing for and achieving the club’s current 12-game win streak. Expect the Brewers to keep rotating the lineup and getting contributions across the board. This roster is fully bought in, embracing the small details and team-first mentality needed to keep winning through this demanding stretch.

Ultimately, don’t expect much to change in the Brewers’ mindset over the next 19 games. Murphy showed at the end of last season that he’s not one to ease off the gas, and there’s no reason to believe that will change now. He’ll continue to lead with the same philosophies and principles that have helped shape the team’s current identity and winning culture.