With their first homestand of 2022 in the books, the Brewers will head to Philadelphia for a three-game series against the Phillies.
Sitting at 8-5 on the young season, the Brewers hope to build upon their sweep against Pittsburgh.
Here’s a look at what’s ahead in a National League tilt against the Phillies this weekend.
Familiar Foes in Philly
Philadelphia made offense their top priority this offseason, as the club added established power bats to their lineup in the form of sluggers Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber.
Those two additions launched a combined 66 home runs and owned a WRC+ (Weighted Runs Created Plus) of 153 and 145, respectively, in 2021, adding to an offense that already sports last year’s NL MVP, Bryce Harper.
The new acquisitions bolster a formidable, but familiar lineup. Castellanos was a member of the Reds from 2019-2021, and Schwarber spent six seasons with the Cubs from 2015-2020.
Both players have had their share of success against the Crew -- especially Castellanos, who comes into this series with a .576 slugging percentage in 182 plate appearances facing Milwaukee pitching. Schwarber has struggled getting on base against the Crew with just a .319 OBP in 76 games. However, he has gone deep 17 times in just 270 plate appearances vs. the Brewers.
Keeping the ball in the yard will be crucial to the Brewers' success this weekend.
A Tough Matchup
Milwaukee’s bats will have their work cut out for them in this series, as the Phillies trio of Ranger Suarez, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola are scheduled to make starts on the mound.
Last year, the trio pitched impressively: Suarez boasted a 1.36 ERA; Wheeler finished as the Cy Young runner up; and Nola produced a solid 3.37 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching).
Wheeler is the top name to watch as he faces the Crew, as Brewer hitters have historically struggled against him – the righty brings a stellar 27.4 K% and a 1.96 ERA to the table when battling the Brewers. Wheeler has not surrendered a run in his last two starts against Milwaukee, one of which was a complete game.
While the Phillies probable starters have not had the same success early this season, they have more than enough talent to stifle any lineup.
Can the Crew Build on a Sweep?
After sweeping the Pirates in their most complete performance of the year, the Brewers are looking to stack another series win early in the season.
Thanks to a recent power surge, courtesy of home runs in back-to-back games for Rowdy Tellez and the first home runs of the season from Christian Yelich and Keston Hiura, the Crew appears to be settling in offensively.
The Brewers pitching staff has also showed signs of its dominant ways from last year. In three games against the Pirates, the trio of Eric Lauer, Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff combined to allow just three runs in 19 innings – Burnes and Woodruff struck out 19 total batters in the process.
Look for the Brewers to try to sustain that success this weekend in Philadelphia.