Cubs: National League Central will be far less competitive in 2021

Chicago Cubs: Brewers caught in no-man’s land

The Brewers have consistently outperformed their expected win-loss margins.

Milwaukee had a Pythagorean win-loss of 81-81 in 2019, yet somehow clawed its way to 89 wins and a Wild Card berth. That was just one year after they won five more games than expected en route to a NLCS appearance.

But the Brewers’ luck ran out in 2020. Milwaukee won 29 games and missed the playoffs. The Brewers’ offense ranked 12th out of 15 NL teams in runs scored and 13th in OPS, and the rotation was iffy outside of Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes.

Milwaukee could be in the worst spot of any of these teams. The Brewers might be just competitive enough to sniff a playoff berth in 2021, but nothing more. They have limited funds as a low-payroll club, and also have arguably the worst farm system in baseball.

The latter two points explain why David Stearns is once again likely to take inquiries on star left-handed reliever Josh Hader, especially considering his growing arbitration salary as well as the development of NL Rookie of the Year Devin Williams.