The MLB season has been underway for two weeks now and teams across the country are competing hard to win every game. The Milwaukee Brewers are one team that has high hopes for the season.

The Brewers suffered through years of losing seasons and wasted potential during most of the decade. Finally in 2017 they surprised the National League with a breakout season winning 86 games and finishing second in the NL Central. Sadly, this was not enough and they missed the playoffs by one game.

After a sluggish start to the 2018 season, the Brewers caught fire and could not be stopped after the All Star Break. Led by NL MVP Christian Yelich, they finished first in the NL with 96 wins. The season ended in disappointment though as they missed a World Series berth by one game.

The Brewers’ expectations are high this season with the core of the lineup returning. Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich look to repeat their strong performances from last year. Jesus Aguilar, Travis Shaw and Ryan Braun are sure to be solid pieces of the team, and young stud Orlando Arcia is due for a breakout season.

General Manager David Stearns also made some key offseason moves to benefit the team. He re-signed Mike Moustakas who played a major role in their playoff push last season. He also signed catcher Yasmani Grandal to a one-year deal. Grandal was one of the best catchers in the league last year. Last, he traded Domingo Santana for young left-handed Ben Gamel. Gamel had a very promising spring training and will share playing time with Ryan Braun in left field.

Through the first 15 games of the season the Brewers are 10-5 and in first place in the NL Central. They have won 4 of their first 5 series and are hungry for more. They’ve already beaten strong teams such as the Cardinals, Cubs, and Dodgers who are expected to compete for the playoffs this year. Their powerful offense has crushed 27 home runs and logged 77 rbi’s.

Their pitching core is very young with three pitchers being called up to the starter role in the offseason. Corbin Burnes, age 24, Freddy Peralta, 22, and Brandon Woodruff, 26, all served as relievers for the Brewers and were responsible for how dominant the bullpen was last year. So far the transition to starter has been shaky, but each pitcher has shown they have the ability to be dominant.

The Brewers are expected to compete for a top spot in the National League playoffs this year and possibly reach the World Series. They have started off strong, but there is certainly a lot of room for improvement.

Many fans, such as myself, are excited for what this season has to offer and excited to cheer the team on to victory.