Milwaukee Brewers Microbrew

Jacob Misiorowski gave us a one-of-a-kind performance June 12, with 15 strikeouts in a complete-game shutout in which he only threw 95 pitches. How is this even possible? Host JR Radcliffe and Brewers reporter Curt Hogg look at the incredible win over the Phillies, how Misiorowski has gotten so good, so fast, and what it was like during a special night at American Family Field. Plus: Cooper Pratt is headed to the big leagues this week, adding a new young player to Milwaukee's offense. The guys also discuss the bizarre playing conditions in Las Vegas and a resulting 15-14 game, Jackson Chourio's power surge, and a tough week for Chad Patrick.

In Three Up Three Down (37:20), they discuss Blake Perkins' stunning first homer of the year, the Truss Club, Bananaball, a new reliever in Joel Kuhnel and the team's long-term catching situation. In Remembrew When (57:20), JR goes back to the highest-scoring game in club history, and it's not pretty. In Curt Blanche (1:00:15), Curt gives some thoughts (and some bars) on the New York Knicks. 

Then, JR chats with Garrett Mitchell (1:07:35), who's been healthier than ever this year, and even though he continues to harbor a strange profile (he knows it, too), he's become an essential Brewers component as the team's center fielder. 

The Brewers rattled off another five wins in seven tries and just missed taking the other two, as well. The bats came alive in Colorado (at least, once the first few innings were out of the way), and yet Jacob Misiorowski somehow became the story again with another incredible showing against the Rockies. The Brewers have gotten to 40 wins faster than any other Brewers team in history, and the top-shelf pitching remains elite, although the rest of the rotation remains in flux. Brewers reporter Todd Rosiak and host JR Radcliffe discuss Miz's rapid evolution, Kyle Harrison against his old team, a bullpen suddenly ravaged with injuries, David Hamilton turning a corner and perhaps assuming the full-time starting shortstop role, and hey, look, a trade! 

In Three Up Three Down (33:45), they talk Pablo Sanchez, a potentially interesting date on the Luis Rengifo timeline and some caustic comments by Jonathan Lucroy. In Remember When (52:30), JR looks back at a pitcher you maybe never heard of, but he's a Wisconsin native who became a mythic hero with the Milwaukee Braves organization before injuries, and in Todd's Take of Week (55:45), he peeks ahead to an unusual venue for the next Brewers series.

Then, JR sits down with Biloxi Shuckers announcer Javik Blake (1:00:00), whose job includes watching the No. 1 prospect in baseball, Jesús Made. Blake talks about the other stars on the Brewers' Class AA team, the strange trend facing pitchers in minor league baseball and more. Apologies for the unusually hollow-sounding audio on JR's end.

Jacob Misiorowski and the Milwaukee Brewers capped a remarkable month of May, with yet another dominant outing from the Brewers ace and a 19-7 overall showing in the month. Host JR Radcliffe and special guest Jack Stern discusses where Miz has taken the next step and the Abner Uribe episode that involved an over-the-top celebration, a one-game suspension and the Cardinals-Brewers drama that it unveiled. Trevor Megill's return to the closer's job is about more than just that, and Jack gives his take on the leverage relievers, as well as Logan Henderson (hurt), Brandon Sproat (struggling) and Quinn Priester (rehabbing). Plus: Luis Rengifo still appears to be a guy the Brewers could replace, so why the patience? Also: The slight disappointment with Jackson Chourio's learning curve and the confounding Garrett Mitchell.

In Three Up Three Down (40:00), they discuss the electric UW-Milwaukee tournament run, a strange pattern with ABS challenges, elite baserunning in a win over Houston and David Hamilton's defense. In Remembrew When (55:45), JR looks at the king of the vultures in Brewers single-season relief wins. With Jack leading the way, Take of the Week (1:00:15) looks at the crowded Cy Young race and Misiorowski's place therein.

Then, JR sits down with pitcher Coleman Crow (1:04:00), now three starts into his Brewers career, all victories. They discuss his unique name, his unique repertoire and the powerhouse of Nashville Sounds baseball. 

A sweep in Wrigley Field followed by a series-opening win against the Dodgers continued a torrid stretch for the Brewers, although back-to-back losses to close the week killed the mojo a bit. It sure feels like the Brewers will see these teams in the race for the division and NL pennant; did we learn anything about those potential clashes? Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss the team's pitching excellence, some enigmatic work from Brandon Sproat and Robert Gasser, the weak corridor of the lineup and the Class AAA options that remain available, and is there even a remote chance the team would entertain a trade for Tarik Skubal ... or Freddy Peralta?

In Three Up Three Down (38:00), they discuss a PCA inside-the-park adventure, the unique way the Brewers have used relievers, Tarps Off and the latest test passed by Jacob Misiorowski. In Remembrew When (57:00), JR looks back at a far more dubious sweep of the Cubs. And Curt Blanche (1:00:00) tackles a fashion motif that happens to be in JR's wheelhouse.

Then, JR sits down with Brewers broadcaster Vinny Rottino (1:05:30), discussing his Racine roots, his fascinating playing career (including a thrilling late-season win), how he got started in broadcasting and where he hopes to go from here.

Pitching won the week for the Milwaukee Brewers, who head to Chicago just 1 1/2 games out first place and chasing the team they're about to meet, the Cubs. Though the two losses of the week came in frustrating fashion, Milwaukee won back-to-back series against the Padres and Twins. Journal Sentinel Brewers writer Todd Rosiak and host JR Radcliffe look at Jacob Misiorowski's next-level dominance, Christian Yelich returning (then disappearing, then returning again), bullpen issues, Quinn Priester, Robert Gasser and the left side of the infield, where a couple prospects are knocking down the door while current Brewers continue to struggle.

In Three Up Three Down (29:30), they discuss a meeting with a Wisconsinite pitcher, a Bob Uecker mural and lots of craziness down in Nashville. In Remembrew When (44:10), JR goes back to 2012 to examine a similar gut-punching loss to Wednesday's setback against San Diego, and in Todd's Take of the Week (49:15), a look ahead to the division leader on the schedule.

Then, JR chats with relief pitcher Brian Fitzpatrick (53:00), who may have gotten sent down late in the week, but has emerged as a pleasant surprise as a player who wasn't even in big-league camp during spring training. He's the perfect case study of a player who dealt with college injuries became a diamond in the rough, then developed into a quality big-league option.

Brice Turang's Mother's Day walk-off homer provided a great capper to the weekend and added a dash of nostalgia to a Yankees sweep. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe also discuss the latest superstar performance from Jacob Misiorowski, a wild defensive decision by the Yankees and the triumphant return of Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn to the lineup. What about the other injury guys like Brandon Woodruff, Christian Yelich and Quinn Priester? Is the team any closer to making a change at shortstop? With Ángel Zerpa facing Tommy John surgery, will the Brewers ever send another player to the World Baseball Classic? 

In Three Up Three Down (38:30), they discuss CC Sabathia on the wall of honor, an unwelcome flashback, some ABS weirdness and the king of vulture wins, Aaron Ashby. In Remembrew When (58:00), there's no choice but to discuss Bill Hall on Mother's Day, and in Curt Blanche (1:01:00), Curt believes there's a far greater Mother's Day homer that we never discuss. 

Then, JR is joined by Brewers reliever Jake Woodford (1:07:00), whose Major League debut was delayed in the strangest of ways, when he was holed up with the St. Louis Cardinals in Milwaukee's Pfister Hotel following a COVID-19 outbreak among the team. Then, he's joined by prospect Andrew Fischer (1:13:00), who hit two home runs on Sunday and continues to pound the ball for Single-A Wisconsin.

The Brewers won both series this week, but the week was marred by injuries to Brandon Woodruff, Jacob Misiorowski, Ángel Zerpa and even a rehabbing Jackson Chourio. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss how the Brewers can weather all of them, mainly because most should be reasonably short term, but it's certainly leaving the team with questions heading into the new week. Will the offense finally have more punch once Chourio and Andrew Vaughn are back? Is there anything else they can do to create a more complete lineup? Quinn Priester's rehab outings have been rough, too. But, the team still has ample starting options, Misiorowski looks incredible, Kyle Harrison likewise looks great and William Contreras enjoyed a monster week with the bat. Do they dare talk about ... Greg Jones?

In Three Up Three Down (37:00), they check in on some minor-league intrigue, a tantalizing debut for Brian Fitzpatrick, ABS and more. Remembrew When (49:30) goes back in time to just last year for more Miz Magic and in Curt Blanche (52:30), Curt says farewell to a dear friend.

Then, JR chats with Shane Drohan (58:45), who got his first career Major League win this week. They discuss his unusual relationship to baseball, the frenzy of getting taken during the COVID draft and how a sneaky injury derailed his Rule 5 opportunity.

The Milwaukee Brewers' offense is on a power outage even by its own standards, and the bullpen has been unsteady at best. But the starters are still great, anchored by Kyle Harrison's virtuoso effort Sunday, so maybe the Brewers are in better shape than we think? Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss what they can do (or can't) to help the offense, Luis Lara, Joey Ortiz, David Hamilton and other pain points in the offense. They discuss the plight of the arms, both the struggling relievers and shining starters. Why'd they cut ties with Luis Matos over Greg Jones? Could Tyler Black rediscover something with another opportunity? Is it really just injuries holding the offense back?

In Three Up Three Down (38:30), they discuss a scary minor-league incident, Quinn Priester's struggles on rehab starts, a glorious triple and Blake Perkins' big moment. In Remembrew When (54:00), JR talks about another big-man triple and in Curt Blanche (56:30), Curt tries to understand an ages-old baseball trend. 

Then, JR is joined by Brandon Sproat (1:01:30), who's had back-to-back strong outings after a shaky start. They discuss his hometown in Pensacola, his bounceback, the struggles of his old teammates in New York, the difficult decisions to not sign after getting drafted, twice, and facing off with Paul Skenes and LSU in the College World Series.

Brewers reporter Todd Rosiak and host JR Radcliffe look back on a productive 4-2 week for the Brewers, where their brand of baseball made a comeback, backed by superb starting-pitching performances. Brandon Sproat has his first excellent outing, Coleman Crow has a dazzling debut, Jacob Misiorowski continued to look good in losses and Chad Patrick and Brandon Woodruff worked deep into games. The offense, however remains hamstrung by injury depletion. Why Greg Jones over Luis Lara? What's next for Trevor Megill now that he's out as closer? When will the Brewers get some heavy hitters back?

In Three Up Three Down (28:00), the guys discuss how a torrential downpour might have helped the Brewers win a game indoors, Aaron Ashby's win total and Brandon Lockridge's defensive theatrics. In Remembrew When (48:00), JR looks back at the last time the Brewers got down bunts from three straight batters (it's a random one), and Todd's Take of the Week (52:30) looks at two big-time aces on the docket and shouts out one thing both hosts love: Buddy's Pizza in Detroit.

Then, JR visits with former Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Tom Haudricourt (56:00) to discuss the recently departed former Brewers manager Phil Garner and Davey Lopes. Haudricourt had some great stories about the longtime manager known as Scrap Iron -- including Garner making good (hilariously) on a lost bet to Haudricourt.