Brewers’ Unyielding Energy How Young Talent and Resilience Keep Milwaukee at the Top

Brewers’ Unyielding Energy: How Young Talent and Resilience Keep Milwaukee at the Top

As the regular season winds down and injuries plague rosters across the league, many teams are barely limping to the finish line. Yet, Pat Murphy’s Milwaukee Brewers are defying the odds, hitting their stride when most others are running on fumes.

Monday night in the bottom of the fourth inning, Sal Frelick stepped up to face Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez. Rhys Hoskins had already drawn a leadoff walk, and Frelick, knowing Suárez’s strong command, anticipated a pitch to hit. He was right. Suárez delivered a fat sinker, and Frelick didn’t miss. With a thunderous crack, he sent the ball screaming down the right-field line. The ball was hit so hard, clocking in at 106.6 mph off the bat, that it was impossible for Hoskins to score from first. Frelick’s blistering double was the hardest-hit ball of his career, a remarkable feat this late in the season, as he continues to shine in his first full year in the majors.

Frelick’s moment wasn’t an isolated one. He’d already made a jaw-dropping defensive play in the third inning, gunning down Philadelphia’s Cal Stevenson as he tried to advance from first to third on a single. It’s the type of hustle and resilience that defines this Brewers team—a group that, despite a mountain of injuries, refuses to tire.

While many teams have legitimate complaints about the grind of the season and their laundry list of injuries, the Brewers could top them all. They’ve lost two key starters to Tommy John surgery and their best hitter, Christian Yelich, to season-ending back surgery. Nearly a third of their $116 million payroll is currently tied up on the injured list, with Wade Miley, Brandon Woodruff, and others watching from the sidelines. Devin Williams, their prized closer, spent half the season there too.

With so much adversity, the Brewers could have folded. Instead, they’ve leaned on a mix of young talent and battle-tested veterans to fill the gaps. At a time when they could easily look weary, they’re playing with more energy than ever. And that’s no accident.

Murphy’s relentless focus on staying undaunted has become the mantra of this team. Despite the injuries and inexperience of many players, he’s instilled a belief that each game is an opportunity to win, and that winning itself can re-energize. Where other teams are limping, the Brewers are flying. They play like a team possessed, driven by the thrill of the chase rather than burdened by fatigue. As the days grow shorter and legs grow heavier around the league, the Brewers look refreshed and ready. Murphy, though an older manager, knows exactly how to harness the vitality of his young squad, keeping them focused not just on showing up but on dominating the field—even after 150 games.

Frelick’s performance reflects this spirit, playing with the vigor of a player in early spring, not a battle-worn rookie. Jackson Chourio, only 20, is thriving, while William Contreras continues to be one of the hardest-working players in baseball, crushing a 115.6 mph missile of his own Monday night. Veteran pitcher Colin Rea, knowing his playoff role may shift to the bullpen, still gave the Brewers a crucial eight-out save.

And while other teams are swing-happy and chasing bad pitches out of exhaustion, the Brewers remain disciplined. Their chase rate has held steady, even improving slightly over the last 30 days. They’re still running aggressively on the basepaths, with a Go Rate in steal opportunities that’s one of the highest in baseball. Their defense and pitching continue to stymie opponents, with metrics like opponent BABIP (batting average on balls in play) and home run rate showing no sign of fatigue.

Murphy has faced some criticism in his first full season at the helm, but with his team positioned to finish strong and avoid the pitfalls of late-season exhaustion, those complaints are starting to fade. The Brewers haven’t lost more than three games in a row all year—a testament to their resilience.

As the playoffs loom, Milwaukee is one of the few teams still brimming with energy. Where others falter, the Brewers keep pushing forward. Their relentless spirit is why they’ll be ready to challenge the league’s best in October, unburdened by fatigue, driven by a manager who’s turned potential exhaustion into excitement.