Whitney: We just broke a franchise record last night. Ninety-eight wins. That is history in Milwaukee. But don’t get too comfortable, because tomorrow night we are in Philadelphia, and the playoffs are knocking at the door.
Terry: It’s a massive swing. We went from chasing the record to setting it, and now we have to look ahead to the Phillies. The rotation is still thinned out, but the offense is clicking.
Whitney: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, America's number one daily sports podcast. I’m Whitney, and I’m joined by Terry. If you’re new here, you’re in the right place for deep dives into your favorite teams.
Terry: Hey everyone. Today we’re looking at the Brewers’ upcoming series against the Philadelphia Phillies. We’ll break down the pitching matchup, talk about how the bullpen handles the stretch run, and discuss what those injuries mean for September baseball.
Whitney: Here is what we are covering tonight: First, who starts for Milwaukee against the Phillies? Second, how do William Contreras and Jackson Chourio handle the playoff pressure? And third, what does the injury report tell us about our depth?
Terry: That’s the plan. We saw the sweep of Baltimore, so let’s see if that momentum carries across the country.
Whitney: Let’s dive right into Segment One: The Series and the Pitching Probables. Terry, you predicted on Monday that Robert Gasser or Shane Drohan would start. Well, with the series wrapped up in Baltimore, we have a fresh start in Philly. Who do you think takes the mound first?
Terry: Right. So, looking at the roster, we have Aaron Ashby, Shane Drohan, Robert Gasser, Colton Gordon, Kyle Harrison, Logan Henderson, Dustin May, and Jacob Misiorowski available as starters. Given the workload, I expect them to lean on someone with some innings left in the tank.
Whitney: So you’re saying they won’t burn out the whole bullpen before Game 1? That’s actually surprising given how thin we’ve been since Brandon Woodruff and Bryse Wilson went down.
Terry: Exactly. They can’t afford to. With Grant Anderson, Quinn Priester, Angel Zerpa, and Tyler O'Neill also on the 60-day IL, every arm matters. I think they might go with Kyle Harrison or maybe even Jacob Misiorowski again if he’s recovered enough from the extra-inning grind.
Whitney: Misiorowski was dominant in that extra-inning win. But facing the Phillies, you need someone who can eat innings. The Phillies are a heavy-hitting team. Do you trust Misiorowski to go deep into this game?
Terry: I’d be cautious. He threw a lot of pitches last time. I think they’ll look at Colton Gordon or Logan Henderson to provide stability. They need to manage the pitch count carefully to keep the relievers fresh for October.
Whitney: So, no burning the house down yet. Smart management. Let’s shift gears to the other side of the ball.
Whitney: Segment Two: Key Hitters and Bullpen Questions. We know the lineup features William Contreras, Jackson Chourio, Christian Yelich, Garrett Mitchell, Sal Frelick, and Andrew Vaughn. Who is the guy you want making an impact in Philadelphia?
Terry: William Contreras. He homered in that 3-0 shutout against Baltimore. He’s been clutch all season. Against a tough Phillies lineup, you want his plate discipline. He doesn’t chase, and he hits the ball hard.
Whitney: Contreras is a machine. But what about the young guns? Jackson Chourio has been electric. Does he have the experience to handle the playoff atmosphere?
Terry: He plays with no fear. His launch angle and raw power are elite. Even if he strikes out, he changes the geometry of the field. You have to respect him.
Whitney: And Sal Frelick? He’s been contributing recently too. How important is his speed and contact ability in this series?
Terry: Very. Frelick creates problems in the outfield and on the bases. If the Brewers can get on base, his speed forces errors. It’s not just about home runs; it’s about manufacturing runs.
Whitney: Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. The injuries. We lost Blaze Alexander, Ryan Mountcastle, Luis Robert Jr., Jackson Holliday, and others. How does that affect the Brewers' ability to sustain a long playoff run?
Terry: It’s a challenge, but the Brewers have shown resilience. They have guys like Jake Bauers, David Hamilton, Joey Ortiz, Cooper Pratt, Brice Turang, and Gary Sanchez ready to step up. Depth is key.
Whitney: It’s impressive how they’ve kept winning despite the attrition. Now, a quick word from our producers. If these daily breakdowns are part of your morning routine or commute, a small tip is what keeps them coming. Please check the link in the episode description to support us.
Whitney: Thanks for that. Segment Three: Keys to the Series and a Bold Prediction. Terry, what is the single most important thing the Brewers need to do to win this series in Philadelphia?
Terry: Pitching efficiency. If their starters can go six innings, the bullpen—Aaron Ashby, Trevor Megill, Chad Patrick, JoJo Romero, Antonio Senzatela, Abner Uribe, and DL Hall—can finish the job. Keep the pitch count low.
Whitney: Agreed. And offensively, they need to exploit platoon splits. The Phillies have some vulnerable arms in the middle of the order. Chourio and Contreras should feast there.
Terry: Exactly. Also, watch the defensive positioning. The Brewers have great defenders like Garrett Mitchell and Brice Turang. Use them to make plays.
Whitney: Okay, bold prediction time. We said earlier they might finish with 99 or 100 wins. What do you say about this series? Are we talking a sweep?
Terry: I think they win two of three. Maybe not a clean sweep, but they’ll secure home-field advantage. The mental edge from that 3-0 win over Baltimore is huge.
Whitney: There you have it. The Brewers are riding high, setting records, and looking ahead to a tough fight in Philadelphia. Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen.
Terry: Go Birds. See you tomorrow.