4 reasons to like Milwaukee Brewers chances to win the World Series
By Todd Welter
![Sep 26, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers clinch the National League Central with a Chicago Cubs loss and celebrate at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports Sep 26, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers clinch the National League Central with a Chicago Cubs loss and celebrate at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/1c11a84396134125419d6c6e411b9665d9b73f5b06a2b6e708c208ecfbf76ac7.jpg)
The Brewers starting pitching matches up well with any contender.
Manager Craig Counsell can roll out Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta in a best-of-three and best-of-five series. He can add Wade Miley in a best-of-seven and even pitch him in Game 4 in the NLDS.
That starting rotation can match up with the Dodgers and the Braves. Burnes, Woodruff, and Peralta have been locked in this September. If they can carry that over to October, Milwaukee has a shot to beat both teams.
The problem is if the Milwaukee Brewers’ offense does not show up. The bats will be the reason the Crew is eliminated.
We got a preview of that in Miami when the Marlins took two of three from the Brewers despite having Burnes, Woodruff, and Peralta pitch in the series.
In a preview of a first-round Wild Card Series, with Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta all lined up, the Brewers were reminded how quickly things can go sideways in a short series. https://t.co/RaYOJTpHNx
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) September 25, 2023
The Dodgers rotation has had issues this year, while the Braves might not have Charlie Morton available in the playoffs.
Milwaukee’s defense should not eliminate them like in the past.
The defense contributed to the team getting eliminated in 2008, 2011, and 2019. It would be shocking if that is the case in this postseason.
The Brewers rank second in the league in defensive runs saved. They are the top-rated defense, according to Fangraphs.
Pitching and defense is the path to winning in October. It is also the key to ensuring the Dodgers and Braves have a bad week.