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Milwaukee Brewers: Cases for All-Star candidates

By Kenny Jilek

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 16: Yasmani Grandal #10 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates with Mike Moustakas #11 after he hit a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Brewers defeated the Phillies 11-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 16: Yasmani Grandal #10 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates with Mike Moustakas #11 after he hit a two-run home run during the seventh inning of a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Brewers defeated the Phillies 11-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 22: Zach D avies #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 22, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 22: Zach D avies #27 of the Milwaukee Brewers delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on September 22, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

The Milwaukee Brewers are playing well enough to be atop the NL Central, so what players are deserving of an All-Star nod?

After a trip to the NLCS last season, the Milwaukee Brewers are right back in contention this year. Led by MVP candidate, Christian Yelich, they are tied atop first place in the National League Central division heading into June 10 and have put themselves in a position to succeed.

It is not just Yelich shouldering the load, however. A baseball team cannot be carried through a 162-game season by just one player, no matter how crazy the numbers that the star player is putting up are. Other players must step up to make a team with potential into a contender and they have.

The Brewers have gotten big contributions from guys in the middle of their lineup in Mike Moustakas and Yasmani Grandal that started the season hitting sixth and seventh and have moved up to fourth and fifth on most days. That is partially because of the shortcomings of Travis Shaw and Jesus Aguilar, but Moustakas and Grandal have filled those spots exceptionally well.

There have been pitchers also worthy of an All-Star mention. Zach Davies carried a struggling young rotation through the first month of the season to keep this team from slipping down in the standings and Brandon Woodruff has found his stuff and come on strong since the end of April. Josh Hader has been his usual self, pitching multiple innings out of the bullpen and collecting strikeouts along the way.

Yelich has been so good with his National League-leading 24 home runs, 14 stolen bases, .745 slugging percentage, and 1.190 OPS that he is guaranteed to be in the All-Star game and does not need a case made for him. For everyone else, let’s take a look at what they’ve done and who has the best chance at getting to the All-Star game.

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