Brewers Baseball returned with a bang during the first week of the season. The Crew is off to a 5-1 start after sweeping the Mets in their first home series.
And is there a better way to cap off an exciting Opening Week than with a weekend tilt against the Cardinals?
Here’s a preview of the Brewers upcoming divisional battle.
Rookies Making an Impact
It’s been a week to remember for the Brewers trio of rookies.
Brice Turang capped off the home opener with a grand slam, Garrett Mitchell blasted three home runs -- including a walk-off against New York on Wednesday -- and Joey Wiemer belted his first career homer to go along with a .353 average in his first week of Major League action.
However, the Cardinals boast some rookie star-power of their own in Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson. Walker, MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 prospect, batted .333 in his first week in The Show, including his first career homer on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Burleson has posted a .938 OPS so far after finishing near the top of the Triple-A leaderboards in many offensive categories a season ago.
Look out for more electrifying moments from these rookies, as they hope to continue their stellar starts this weekend at American Family Field.
Can Woodruff and Peralta Continue Hot Starts?
Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta were razor-sharp in their first starts of the season, and both are scheduled to take the hill again in the series with St. Louis.
Woodruff surrendered just one run in six innings against the Cubs on Saturday. Then, Peralta one-upped him with six scoreless innings in the home opener against the Mets on Sunday.
It’s one of the first big tests of the season, as the Cardinals lineup features some of the best bats in the National League. The always-dangerous duo of Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado are hoping to contend for more MVP awards, while infielders Nolan Gorman and Brendan Donovan are off to some of the hottest starts in Baseball.
If Woody and Freddy can pick up right where they left off, it will be a key factor towards winning another series.
Contreras Brothers Face Off
For the first time this season, William Contreras will go head-to-head with his brother, Willson Contreras.
The pair of All-Star catchers have squared off in four series previously with their former clubs, but this will be the first time as division rivals.
Perhaps William Contreras has the inside scoop on how to contain his brother. However, Brewers pitching has fared well against Willson Contreras. The longtime Cub turned Cardinal is just a .223 hitter in his career vs. Milwaukee – well below his .257 career average.
Keep an eye on both teams’ backstops as the two battle it out for NL Central bragging rights.