Chicago Cubs: Milwaukee presents a big challenge in 2018

The Brewers’ pitching has performed well this season

After the additions of Yelich and Cain to the offense, many wondered why the Brewers failed to add another starting pitcher. A month into the season and it’s beginning to become clear why the Brewers held off on adding another starter.

Through 32 games, the combination of Junior Guerra, Wade Miley, Chase Anderson, Zach Davies, Jhoulys Chacin, Brandon Woodruff and Brent Suter have chewed up the 12th most innings in baseball at 169 2/3. The Cubs currently sit at 25th on that list with 155 innings.

While they may not be big names, the Brewers’ starters have posted a 3.77 ERA, good enough for tenth best in the league. Leading that charge is Guerra who is currently sitting on a 0.82 ERA and 0.95 WHIP through four starts.

Brewers’ bullpen has been great

In addition to the starters, the Brewers’ bullpen is holding its own as well. The group of 13 relievers owns the second-best K/9 in baseball at 10.53 while turning in the eighth lowest BB/9 at 3.36. To go along with that, the Brewers’ pen has amassed a left on base percentage of 77.7%, the seventh lowest in baseball while ranking in the top three with a 51.1% ground ball rate. To cap things off,  Milwaukee’s bullpen is second in the league with a 2.36 ERA just slightly ahead of the Cubs who rank third with a 2.67 mark.

Headlining the bullpen are two guys with ridiculously good numbers. Right-hander Jeremy Jeffress is sporting a 0.51 ERA in 17 2/3 innings this season. Also, Jeffress has amassed a 0.74 WHIP and has struck out 13 batters and walked just four.

The other man mowing down hitters out of the bullpen is 24-year-old Josh Hader. Hader, a left-hander, owns a 1.00 ERA in 18 innings this season. The lefty has allowed just four hits and five walks while striking out 39 batters. That means Hader is averaging almost 20 strikeouts per nine innings pitched, by far the best in baseball.

Also posting sub-two ERA’s out of the bullpen are Matt Albers, Jacob Barnes, Dan Jennings and Taylor Williams.