The Milwaukee Brewers’ offense couldn’t provide enough runs Tuesday, as they fell 5-4 to the Atlanta Braves. The loss eliminated the Brewers from postseason contention and the Braves advanced to the National League Conference Series.
A series that was expected to be defensive proved to be just that, as neither team scored more than 12 runs in four games. It was the lowest scoring series in the divisional round of the playoffs, with both teams showcasing elite pitching.
The series started strong for the Brewers, with a 2-1 win over the Braves that included a Rowdy Tellez two-run homer. In addition, Corbin Burnes and the bullpen held the Braves to just one run in Game 1.
Game 2 was a different story. The Brewers pitched well giving up just three runs, but the Braves shut out the Brewers. The Braves took the lead in the third inning on a Freddie Freeman single that drove in Jorge Soler. Later in the inning, Ozzie Albies doubled to drive in Freeman. In the sixth inning, Austin Riley homered to give the Braves another insurance run as they took Game 2 3-0 to even up the series.
Game 3 seemed like déjà vu, as the Brewers’ offense was shut out for the second consecutive game. This time, all three runs came off a Joc Pederson home run in the fifth inning. The Brewers’ inability to string together hits was a problem once again, as the Braves took a 2-1 series lead.
In a win-or-go-home game, the Brewers’ offense took a much more aggressive approach. They took a two-run lead in the top of the fourth inning, but the Braves quickly added two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Tellez added another two-run in the fifth inning, but once again the Braves tied it back up.
Josh Hader, who has been one of the top relievers in baseball all season, entered the eighth inning in a tie game. Hader fanned the first two batters, but Freeman was determined at the plate. Hader left a slider over the plate and Freeman crushed a go-ahead home run that sealed the Brewers fate. The Braves won 5-4 to take the overall series 3-1.
The Brewers season is over, and the offseason is just around the corner. They have many questions to answer offensively, as it was the main reason for their early postseason exit. The team did not commit a single defensive error over the four games. In addition, the team posted a 3.18 ERA in the postseason, lower than their 3.50 ERA in the regular season.
The Brewers’ offense was their downfall, as they averaged just 1.5 runs per game against the Braves. They slashed .192/.263/.264 as a team in the postseason, significantly worse than their .233/.317/.396 slash line in the regular season.
The main reason for the lack of runs was the Brewers batting average with runners in scoring position. In 26 plate appearances with runners in scoring position, the Brewers batted .087, with two singles, two walks and a sacrifice fly.
The Braves were the better team this series and the stats show it. With multiple players hitting over .300 and a team batting average of .234, the Braves were able to allow this series to come to them.
Also, the Braves’ pitching was phenomenal. With a collective 1.54 ERA, they had an easy time sitting hitters down. They were able to strikeout the Brewers’ offense at an alarming rate, with 48 strikeouts in 35 innings for 12.3 K/9.
The Braves were fundamentally a better team both offensively and defensively. As a result, the Braves won the series in four games and advanced to the NLCS. They will face the Los Angeles Dodgers or the San Francisco Giants in their pursuit for a World Series trophy.