Pitching Goes Deep Into The Farm System

The Brewer's pitching at the major league level has been nothing short of a revelation this year. It's not like the production is coming straight out of left field because they have some big names in the rotation but if you had watched them pitch last year you'd think they were in rebuilding mode. Early in the season the Brewers have the third best team ERA, which is six spots up from last years body of work. It's even more amazing if you take out Wei-Chung Wang's 7 innings and 10 earned runs the ERA drops below three which is unbelievable. The pitching success extends down to the minor leagues as well. The Nashville Sounds (AAA) have the second lowest team ERA in the Pacific Coast league and are currently leading their division. The Brewers have a plethora of young arms in the system and at the major league level that are very versatile.

Tyler Thornburg: Much was made about the Lincecum-like delivery of Tyler Thornburg when he first came up for the Brewers in 2013. Thornburg started seven games last year but also worked in the bullpen and had a respectable 2.03 ERA. This year the 25 year old has blossomed into a bonafide big league reliever often bridging the gap between the starters and the back end of the bullpen.

Will Smith: Smith was acquired in the trade with the Royals for Norichika Aoki and it couldn't have worked out better for the Brewers. Smith is only 24 years old yet he pitches like a seasoned vet. Teams have only scratched across one earned run this season on Smith and he has yielded only a .183 batting average against him. That average drops to .074 against lefties in large part because of his devastating slider. Smith was originally a starting pitcher with the stuff of a closer so the sky is the limit for the young southpaw.

Mike Fiers: Mike Fiers has done a great job at the major league level the past two years but he has been in AAA this season so far. Any other team he probably makes the starting rotation but thats arguably the Brewers strongest part of the team. Fiers has been dealing to say the least. In seven starts Fiers has six wins, posting a 1.59 ERA and is averaging 12.7k/9innings and leading the league in punchouts. If the Brewers need another arm or someone to make a spot start Fiers is more than capable.

Jimmy Nelson: Nelson was the Brewers top prospect coming into the season and it is easy to see why. Posting quality starts more often than not (couldn't find the exact number I think 6) with a 4-1 record and 1.76 ERA in 8 starts. He has a sub-one WHIP and scouts say the hard throwing righty will be ready whenever the Brewers make the call.

Brewers Steal Game, Series

In arguably the most roller-coaster series of the season, Khris Davis played hero yet again. On Tuesday the Brewers won somewhat easily behind a solid day by Jonathan Lucroy. Wednesday was a different story with the Bucs finally getting to the Brewers bullpen notching K-Rod for three runs in the top of the 9th to break the 1-1 tie. Today however, the Brewers returned the favor. Once Wandy Rodriguez left in the 6th the Brewers could only muster one hit with six punchouts before the 9th inning and I'll admit even I didn't give them much hope. It was still a 1-run game thanks to an extraordinary play by Mark Reynolds in the 8th to start a 5-4-3 double play and help Tyler Thornburg get out of trouble. After loading the bases the cardiac kid Khris Davis stepped to the plate and once again played hero. On a 2-2 pitch he singled on a broken bat that scored Braun and Lucroy to win the game and take the series. In a series where not much went right for the Brewers, where they were missing two of the biggest bats in the lineup Ramirez and Gomez, they just needed a little luck and that's exactly what they got.

Other notes: Yovani Gallardo went 6.1 innings giving up three runs and punching out six for his 7th quality start of the season. Gallardo was pretty much lights out besides two mistakes to Tony and Gaby Sanchez both of which found souvenir city. The bullpen returned to form with 2.2 innings and no runs. Rickie Weeks had three more hits including his first longball of the season which raises his average to .365. Khris Davis is Mr. Clutch batting .370 (10 for 27) in late & close situations where it matters most. Gomez will only miss the first game of the Cubs series before being able to return. Martin Maldonado hit his second homer in 27 at-bats on the season. He is boasting great numbers in a small sample size posting .333/.455/.630 splits. His success could force Roenicke's hand to explore either him or Lucroy at first base more. Maldonado has shown he is able to work well with any pitcher. The Brewers head to Chicago to start a three game set with the Cubs over the weekend. FWIW: The Brewers magic number is 117, it's never to early.