Milwaukee Brewers Microbrew

The Milwaukee Brewers won three straight games against the Chicago Cubs over the weekend to claw back to .500, and that's before anything has started to click on offense. Journal Sentinel reporter Todd Rosiak joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss it. Are there any signs of bats coming around? What factors are compelling Craig Counsell to take a more traditional usage approach with Josh Hader? And good word, that bullpen in general is crazy good! How about Luis Urias? Will Manny Pina start playing more often with the struggles of Omar Narvaez? Corbin Burnes back to the rotation, Ryan Braun at Wrigley and does Todd really not remember what he had for lunch yesterday?

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Brewers beat reporter Todd Rosiak joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the Brewers' anemic offense, the return to form of Christian Yelich, the arrival of Luis Urias and the promise of pitchers Adrian Houser and Corbin Burnes. JR is then joined by Chris Mehring, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers media relations director and radio announcer, to get a sense of what life is like at the Appleton alternate training site. Is Perkins really the best thing going in Appleton?

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. 

Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt and host JR Radcliffe discuss a disruptive weekend in which the series with the Cardinals was canceled, center fielder Lorenzo Cain opted out for the year, Ryan Braun was injured and bench coach Pat Murphy suffered a heart attack. Plus, some studying of the bullpen usage after a loss to the White Sox, an anemic offense and Brandon Woodruff dominating.

The Milwaukee Brewers mostly scuffled to kick off the year in Chicago, but the real news was a fleet of positive COVID-19 tests for the Miami Marlins. Todd Rosiak discusses his reaction to the news and covering road baseball in an empty park, plus a slow start for Yelich and Hiura, notable pitching performances from Burnes, Peralta and Lauer, Ryan Braun's health and Lorenzo Cain's baserunning wizardry.

The Milwaukee Brewers are on the cusp of the Major League Baseball season, in a form unlike anything we've seen before. Brewers beat reporters Tom Haudricourt and Todd Rosiak discuss the club's changing pitching landscape, with major promise from Corbin Burnes. What's the latest on Ryan Braun? What 30-man roster decisions remain? What have been the impressions of Orlando Arcia, who stands to gain playing time as Luis Urias bounces back from a positive test for COVID-19. And finally, what predictions do the guys have, and what questions?

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Tom Haudricourt checks in with some early reports from Brewers workouts and intra-squad games inside empty Miller Park, with Brandon Woodruff looking ready to roll and the team facing a fairly healthy prognosis. What does he make of some camps around baseball interrupted by testing snafus or players like Brock Holt who feel they can't opt out to keep their careers afloat? What jumps out regarding the 2020 schedule ... or the suddenly released 2021 schedule? Plus: snakebitten Luis Urias, a top draft pick signed and additions to the 60-man roster.

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What will spring training actually look like, and what are some of the Brewers-specific story lines to follow now that we're close to the start of baseball? Brewers beat writer Tom Haudricourt joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss seven such topics. Will Craig Counsell treat the 60-game season as one big expanded September? Will all the players injured in camp be ready to go? Who's in the rotation (and will the rotation expand)? How do some of the new rules serve Milwaukee? Could the Brewers be a well positioned seller at the trade deadline? How will Keston Hiura's progression be impacted (and could he wind up being the team's best hitter this year)? How good are Josh Hader's odds at a Cy Young this season?

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music.

Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt and host JR Radcliffe discuss the news of baseball on the horizon; at least, as much as the virus will allow. They look back at the tense negotiations between the two sides and the attributes of a resolution, the many changes to game play and how those new wrinkles might impact Milwaukee. 

Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss his new Brewers book, 'Turning 50,' taking a look back on the 50th anniversary of Milwaukee Brewers baseball. Plus, a look at first-round draft choice Garrett Mitchell and looking at the stalemate between baseball owners and the players association.

Former Brewers reliever Ken Sanders, a standout on the first Brewers teams of 1970 and 1971, looks back at the birth of the franchise. He and host JR Radcliffe talk what the early days were like, Tommy Harper, Sanders' crazy numbers, his ability to stay healthy despite massive workload, the origin of his "Bulldog" nickname and ... the time he listed and sold the Field of Dreams (yes, that one, in Iowa) as a realtor.

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music.