Brewers Breakdown – Braves Preview

An enormous mid-season test awaits the Brewers, as they’ll host the Atlanta Braves this weekend.

While the Crew has been hot as of late, the Braves may be even hotter. After a torrid stretch – including victories in 29 of their last 38 games -- Atlanta holds MLB’s best record (62-33) coming into the series.

With a pair of tilts between the two clubs in the next two weeks, it’s an opportunity for Milwaukee to make a statement against a contender.

Here’s what to expect for this battle between division leaders.

Containing Atlanta’s Offense

The Braves lineup boasts some record-breaking power this season.

Back in June, the club set a record for most home runs in a month with a whopping 61 long balls. Then, the team shattered MLB’s first-half home run record (167) a few days prior to the All-Star break. The charge was led by three of baseball’s top sluggers: Matt Olson (30 home runs), Ronald Acuna Jr. (23 home runs) and Ozzie Albies (22 home runs).

Limiting the long ball will be a key to the series for Brewers pitching. Good thing the staff has kept the ball in the park as of late: Milwaukee has given up just 11 home runs in July – a top-5 mark in Baseball this month, and it’s been a big part in racking up four shutouts in just 15 games.

To shut down this Braves team, Brewers pitching must maintain their dominance against a squad with power at every spot of the lineup.

Flawless in Relief

While the Braves bats have been scorching hot, Milwaukee’s bullpen has been untouchable.

Collectively, the ‘pen has tossed over two games worth of consecutive scoreless innings. Their streak reached 20.2 shutout frames behind a perfect inning of relief from Abner Uribe on Thursday.

Joel Payamps is working on a streak of his own, too. He's held opponents scoreless in each of his last 16 innings pitched, dating all the way back to June 10. Payamps collected a staggering 20 strikeouts to just three walks in that timeframe.

With Payamps, Elvis Peguero, Hoby Milner and Devin Williams anchoring the load, the Crew has found the formula to success for this year’s bullpen.

Contreras Battles His Old Club

A series with Atlanta marks the first matchup between William Contreras and the team that traded him to Milwaukee this past offseason.

Contreras has manned one of the top-hitting groups of backstops in baseball, and the former All-Star has come into his own in July. On the month, he ranks among MLB’s best in batting average (.373) and fWAR (1.0).

On the other hand, Sean Murphy -- Atlanta’s prize of the three-team trade with Milwaukee and Oakland -- has been just as phenomenal behind the plate and at the dish. Murphy is one of only two NL catchers with a higher WAR than William Contreras.

All eyes will be on two of the best catchers in the National League throughout this series.