Milwaukee Brewers Microbrew

Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss Milwaukee's disappearing offense in the final two games of the Chicago series after things were going so well over a seven-game winning streak. An update on the offensive struggles of Travis Shaw, plus others also scuffling at the plate, including Lorenzo Cain. On the flip side, the pitching has been magnificent. Has Gio Gonzalez really been the cure for what ailed them? Is Corbin Burnes going to be a bullpen guy for the rest of the season?  

Then, JR chats with Brewers TV play-by-play announcer Matt Lepay, who fills in each year when Brian Anderson is calling NBA playoff games for TNT. Matt talks about his standing reservation as the Brewers' Plan B, as well as his full-time role as Badgers football and basketball radio man. 

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. Sound effect: WALLA Ballpark Cheer William Tell Overture Organ by AshFox on freesound.org.

Ryan Braun's monster week helped the Brewers sweep the Mets, including an insane 18-inning victory Saturday. Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the Braunaissance, as well as the team's fascinating decisions when it comes to pitchers Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta. How has Zach Davies emerged into the team's ace? Has Lorenzo Cain already won the 2019 Gold Glove? What to make of Travis Shaw's struggles (and is there any scenario where Keston Hiura fits into the equation)? Plus: a discussion on the impact of losing last year's pitching coach, Derek Johnson.

Then, JR sits down with another Brewers starter, Jhoulys Chacin, who has been a rock for the Brewers since he signed a low-profile free agent deal last offseason ... and he appears to be coming around. He talks about his opening day home run, the ups and downs of his career and his time as an ace for last year's World Series contender.

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. Sound effect: WALLA Ballpark Cheer William Tell Overture Organ by AshFox on freesound.org.

Gio Gonzalez is back in Milwaukee after signing a one-year contract, and he made his season debut with the club Sunday. How does that shape the Brewers starting rotation going forward? Brewers beat reporter Todd Rosiak discusses that along with the injury to Christian Yelich, the struggles of Jesus Aguilar, the down velocity of Jeremy Jeffress and where the Brewers bullpen stands. 

Then, host JR Radcliffe chats with outfielder Ben Gamel about his viral warmup ritual, watching big brother Mat get drafted by the Brewers and seeing mentor Edgar Martinez earn induction into the Hall of Fame. 

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. Sound effect: WALLA Ballpark Cheer William Tell Overture Organ by AshFox on freesound.org.

The Brewers went 3-4 on their homestand last week and have scuffled in their starting rotation. Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel discusses Corbin Burnes' demotion and addresses whether or not he thinks the Brewers overestimated what they had in their three young starters. Plus: Christian Yelich is beyond incredible, the offense (particularly Jesus Aguilar) has nonetheless not been clicking on all cylinders, and is the bullpen suddenly a team strength? Lastly, is Keston Hiura on the table as an option if Mike Moustakas needs to miss time?

Then, host JR Radcliffe chats with Aaron Wilkerson, whose first Major League hit was a home run Wednesday. The pitcher said he only has had one at-bat ... since HIGH SCHOOL. Plus, he discusses life in independent-league baseball, the shift to the minors and overcoming Tommy John surgery in a non-traditional way.

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. Sound effect: WALLA Ballpark Cheer William Tell Overture Organ by AshFox on freesound.org.

The Milwaukee Brewers endured a tough week in Los Angeles, dropping four of six games, with the primary concern being the team's starting pitching. Brewers beat reporter Todd Rosiak joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss what could possibly remedy the situation as the team's young trio of starters endures growing pains. 

Todd also talks about the looming return of Jeremy Jeffress to the bullpen and what that could mean for the other pitchers on staff, the red-hot bat of Yasmani Grandal and the power numbers of a former Brewers player, Khris Davis -- is there any way he could have stayed in Milwaukee?

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. Sound effect: WALLA Ballpark Cheer William Tell Overture Organ by AshFox on freesound.org.

The white-hot Milwaukee Brewers just sliced through the Reds and Cubs, and we're talking all about it. Journal Sentinel beat writer Todd Rosiak joins JR Radcliffe to discuss the team with the league's best record. The Josh Hader Experience is incredible, but is it sustainable? What would the return of Jeremy Jeffress mean for the shape of the bullpen? Which of the three young guns in the rotation -- Freddy Peralta, Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff -- has the best chance to become a superstar? What do we make of the starts for Chase Anderson and Ryan Braun? And should we worry about any of the slow starts from offensive players?

Then, a discussion with Alex Wilson, the newest member of the Brewers organization, chatting about celebrity doppelgangers, bouncing back from Tommy John, getting traded off his childhood team and high socks.

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. Sound effect: WALLA Ballpark Cheer William Tell Overture Organ by AshFox on freesound.org.

Brewers beat reporter Todd Rosiak discusses the white-hot start of Christian Yelich (four homers in four games? Seriously?) and the other memorable moments of the first 2019 homestand, including a Lorenzo Cain catch and a Josh Hader inning that will be talked about for a while.

Could the Brewers attempt to sign Yelich to a long-term deal, contributing to a hot trend of stars signing extensions in Major League Baseball? Does it appear Hader will be used any differently this year than last year? What's the biggest factor in the Craig Kimbrel buzz? How does Todd evaluate the first start of Corbin Burnes, with 12 strikeouts in five innings but also three homers?

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. Sound effect: WALLA Ballpark Cheer William Tell Overture Organ by AshFox on freesound.org.

Journal Sentinel beat reporter Tom Haudricourt checks in one last time before opening day Thursday, looking at the state of the Brewers before St. Louis arrives in town March 28. Injuries have shaken up the bullpen to a degree; are we giving up hope on a Craig Kimbrel acquisition? What should we know about newcomer Alex Wilson? How does Mike Moustakas look manning second base? What are the storylines to follow early in the season, and quite simply: do the Brewers look like a playoff team in 2019?

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. Sound effect: WALLA Ballpark Cheer William Tell Overture Organ by AshFox on freesound.org.

With 10 days to go before opening day in Milwaukee, Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt swings by to deliver his state of the Brewers, including whether or not we should be concerned about the struggles of the starting pitchers. Plus: the latest on Jimmy Nelson, the likelihood of Craig Kimbrel becoming this year's late-arrival reliever, Baker Mayfield in camp and how the new rules might impact Milwaukee. 

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. Sound effect: WALLA Ballpark Cheer William Tell Overture Organ by AshFox on freesound.org.

Brewers beat reporter Tom Haudricourt joins host JR Radcliffe to chat Spring Training, including Jimmy Nelson getting back into the swing of things after a year sidelined by injury. How does news that Bobby Wahl has a torn ACL impact the bullpen? What does Tom make of Josh Tomlin and some of the up-and-coming players in camp? And after three homers in 10 spring games, we have to ask: Is 2019 going to be the year of Hernan Perez?

Music intro: https://www.bensound.com/royalty-free-music. Sound effect: WALLA Ballpark Cheer William Tell Overture Organ by AshFox on freesound.org.