Series Preview: Milwaukee Brewers vs. Atlanta Braves

The Milwaukee Brewers will continue their longest homestand of the season as they welcome the Atlanta Braves to town for three games beginning Monday evening. The Crew is 2-3 in their last five, including shutout losses in two of three games to the Padres over the weekend, as the offense has drastically cooled down after a hot stretch that resulted in eight consecutive wins. They sit 2.5 games out of the final NL Wild Card spot, held by the Phillies and Giants, who have matching 37-28 records.

The Braves, at 27-36, have lost six consecutive games entering their series finale with the Giants on Sunday, as they’re 0-6 in the month of June against the Red Sox, D-backs, and Giants. Their +4 run differential indicates bad luck, though, as their offense and pitching stats both rank in the top half of the league.

In the injury department, Brandon Woodruff suffered another setback in what was supposed to be his final rehab start, taking a liner off his elbow. It appears it’s just a bruise, and he’ll potentially start throwing again this week with a late June return possible. Outfielders Blake Perkins (shin fracture) and Garrett Mitchell (oblique) could also be back later this month, while Nestor Cortes is targeting an All-Star break return.

For the Braves, they’re down a few pitchers, as Daysbel Hernández, AJ Smith-Shawver, Reynaldo López, and Joe Jiménez are all shelved for lengthy periods, including season-ending Tommy John surgery for Smith-Shawver. Outfielder Stuart Fairchild is also on the IL with a hand injury, while infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. has missed the entire season with a wrist injury.

Christian Yelich leads Milwaukee’s offense with 13 homers and 41 RBIs this season, and he’s also stolen 10 bases. Jackson Chourio looks to be on his way to another 20-20 season with 10 homers and 13 steals through 65 games, while Rhys Hoskins has also brough power with nine homers. Sal Frelick’s .293 batting average leads the way, as he has also swiped 12 bases. As a team, the Brewers are hitting .237/.315/.362 (.677 OPS ranks 24th) with 59 homers (23rd), 292 runs scored (11th), and 85 steals (second).

Matt Olson’s 13 homers lead the Braves, just ahead of Austin Riley’s 11 and Marcell Ozuna’s 10. Ronald Acuña, who returned in May, has played in 15 games thus far with a strong .315/.403/.574 line, slugging four homers and scoring 10 runs. Catcher Drake Baldwin is looking like an NL Rookie of the Year frontrunner as he’s hitting .306/.354/.512 with seven homers, 18 RBIs, and 14 runs scored in 41 games this year. As a team, the Braves are hitting .243/.317/.385 (.702 OPS ranks 15th) with 68 homers (tied for 14th), 259 runs scored (tied for 21st), and 36 steals (26th).

Jared Koenig’s 32 appearances narrowly outpace Abner Uribe’s 31 games, though Uribe leads the team with a 1.48 ERA and bullpen-best 41 strikeouts in 30 1⁄3 innings. Nick Mears, Grant Anderson, and Trevor Megill have also been solid, with the return of DL Hall and Aaron Ashby providing some much-needed depth. As a staff, the Brewers have a 3.82 ERA (14th), including a 3.35 starter ERA (fifth) and a 4.39 reliever ERA (22nd). They’ve struck out 540 batters (15th) in 584 1⁄3 innings.

Dylan Lee leads the Braves’ bullpen with 29 appearances this year, striking out 27 and sporting a 2.25 ERA over 28 innings. Enyel De Los Santos has made 26 appearances with a 2.93 ERA, and relievers Pierce Johnson (3.86 ERA over 23 1⁄3 innings), Daysbel Hernández (2.22 ERA over 24 1⁄3 innings), and Aaron Bummer (2.73 ERA over 26 1⁄3 innings) have also been key arms. Closer Raisel Iglesias has had a rough season, with a 6.75 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 24 innings. He’s also just 8-for-12 in save opportunities. As a staff, the Braves have a 3.81 ERA (13th), including a 3.73 starter ERA (14th) and a 3.90 reliever ERA (17th). They’ve struck out 558 batters (10th) in 561 2⁄3 innings.

Probable Pitchers

Monday, June 9 @ 6:40 p.m.: Aaron Civale (5.19 ERA, 5.49 FIP) vs. Chris Sale (2.93 ERA, 2.92 FIP)

Originally scheduled to pitch on Sunday, Civale traded places with Freddy Peralta as he was pushed back to a Monday start. Despite his high ERA mark, Civale has pitched better than those numbers indicate. Since allowing five runs in three innings of work against the Yankees back in April, he’s made three more starts, all of which resulted in two runs or fewer and all of which resulted in wins for the Crew. His last start came against the Reds, when he allowed two runs on seven hits and a walk with five strikeouts over a season-high 5 1⁄3 innings, picking up his first win of the year. This is his first career start against the Braves.

The reigning NL Cy Young winner, Sale has taken a very small step back this year, with a 2.93 ERA (2.38 ERA in 2024) and 2.92 FIP (2.09 FIP in 2024). Through 13 starts, he’s struck out 96 batters in 73 2⁄3 innings, but he isn’t getting much run support, as he has a 3-4 record this year. He’s allowed one run or fewer in each of his last four starts, allowing three runs total across 26 innings with 32 strikeouts. His last start was a good one, allowing one run with 10 strikeouts in six innings of work, though he ended up taking the loss. He’s made four career starts against the Brewers, with a 2.05 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 26 1⁄3 innings.

Tuesday, June 10 @ 6:40 p.m.: Quinn Priester (3.88 ERA, 4.58 FIP) vs. Grant Holmes (3.99 ERA, 4.55 FIP)

Despite a few shaky appearances, Priester has been solid overall for the Crew. He’s allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last six appearances, including a solid five innings against the Reds on Tuesday. He allowed one run on two hits and three walks in that one, striking out four as he picked up his third win of the year. The last two times Priester went out, he didn’t get the start, though, as Pat Murphy has used DL Hall as a multi-inning opener in both games, a combination that has worked well thus far (a 6-2 win over the Phillies and a 9-1 win over the Reds). He’s made one career start against the Braves, allowing four runs and striking out four over four innings while with the Pirates in August 2023.

Holmes, 29, is in his second season after making 26 appearances (seven starts) last year. In 13 games (12 starts) this year, he has a 3.99 ERA, 4.55 FIP, and 68 strikeouts over 67 2⁄3 innings. He’s allowed three runs or fewer in each of his last five starts, including three earned runs and four strikeouts over 3 1⁄3 innings against the D-backs in his last start. This season He’s made one appearance against the Brewers, his first career start last July. He allowed one run and struck out eight over five innings in that one.

Wednesday, June 11 @ 1:10 p.m.: Chad Patrick (2.84 ERA, 3.23 FIP) vs. Spencer Schwellenbach (3.24 ERA, 3.25 FIP)

Patrick, 26, continues to impress as he makes a case for remaining in the majors upon Brandon Woodruff’s return. Through 14 games (13 starts), the rookie has a 2.84 ERA, 3.23 FIP, and 63 strikeouts over 69 2⁄3 innings. While not the flashiest pitcher, he’s been highly effective, allowing three runs or fewer in every appearance this season. In his last start against the Padres, he allowed one run and struck out six over six innings of work. This is his first career start against the Braves.

Schwellenbach, 25, is also in his second season with the Braves. He made 21 starts a year ago, with a solid 3.35 ERA, 3.29 FIP, and 127 strikeouts over 123 2⁄3 innings. He’s basically replicated those numbers so far in 2025, with a 3.24 ERA, 3.25 FIP, and 75 strikeouts over 80 2⁄3 innings in 13 starts. He went six innings against the Giants his last time out, allowing four runs (three earned) with four strikeouts in a no-decision. This is his first career start against the Brewers.

How to Watch

Monday, June 9: FanDuel Sports Wisconsin and MLB.TV (out-of-market viewers); listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network

Tuesday, June 10: FanDuel Sports Wisconsin and MLB.TV (out-of-market viewers); listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network

Wednesday, June 11: FanDuel Sports Wisconsin and MLB.TV (out-of-market viewers); listen via radio on the Brewers Radio Network

Prediction

The Braves are always a tough matchup, even if their sub-.500 record suggests otherwise. I’ll take the Crew to escape with two victories as they move to 3-3 on the homestand entering their last four-game leg against the Cardinals.