Brewers (74-45) @ Padres (63-57): Can SD Upend MLB’s Best?
Brewers Look to Bounce Back in Game Two Against the Padres
The Big Picture
After a tough loss in the series opener, the Milwaukee Brewers are hoping to even things up against the San Diego Padres tonight. Think of it like losing the first game of a backyard tournament—you just want to win the next one to stay in it!
Tonight’s Starting Pitchers
Kyle Harrison (Brewers)
- Making his second start since coming back from the injured list (IL)
- Faced the Padres once already this year (May 14): 5 innings, 0 runs allowed, 5 hits, 7 strikeouts
- Last time out (last Wednesday): 5 innings, 10 strikeouts, only 1 hit and 1 walk
- Fun fact: He struck out 8 batters in a row before cramps forced him out of the game
Walker Buehler (Padres)
- Season stats: 5.07 ERA, 4.37 FIP over 23 starts (108⅓ innings)
- Strikeouts vs. Walks: 95 Ks / 45 walks
- Last start: 4 innings, 1 run, 3 strikeouts vs. Diamondbacks
- History vs. Brewers: Actually pretty good! 2.93 ERA in 3 career starts (15⅓ innings), holding hitters to a .211 average
- The Brewers didn’t face him when these teams met earlier—they last saw him in 2024 when he pitched for the Dodgers
What’s ERA and FIP?
- ERA (Earned Run Average): How many runs a pitcher gives up per 9 innings (lower is better)
- FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching): A stat that focuses only on things the pitcher controls—strikeouts, walks, and home runs. It helps show how a pitcher should have done, regardless of their defense.
Roster Moves: The Bullpen Revolving Door
The Brewers made several moves before today’s game. It’s like a game of musical chairs!
| Move | Player | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Added to roster | Bryse Wilson | Returns just 3 days after being designated for assignment (DFA) and 1 day after electing free agency—signed a 1-year contract |
| Removed from roster | Lyon Richardson | Designated for assignment (DFA) to make room for Wilson |
| Claimed by another team | Drew Rom | Selected off waivers by the Athletics |
ELI5: What is "Designated for Assignment"?
When a team DFAs a player, they’re basically saying "we don’t have a spot for you on the 40-man roster right now." The team has 7 days to trade the player, release them, or send them to the minors (if they clear waivers). Other teams can claim them during that time.
Unusual Lineup Alert!
With injuries on the left side of the infield, the Brewers are trying something different tonight:
Batting Order & Positions
- TBD (leadoff)
- Jackson Chourio — LF
- Garrett Mitchell — CF
- Jake Bauers — 1B
- William Contreras — C
- Christian Yelich — DH
- Luis Lara — 3B
- David Hamilton — RF
- Jihwan Bae — 2B (first Brewers start!)
- Brice Turang — SS (first start at shortstop since 2023!)
Notes
- Joey Ortiz gets a rest day but was available off the bench yesterday
- This lineup shuffles regulars Contreras and Yelich up in the order (usually they hit higher)
- Bae and Turang are playing new/old positions to cover for injuries
How to Watch
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| First Pitch | 8:40 p.m. (Central Time) |
| TV | Brewers.TV |
| Radio | Brewers Radio Network |
Key Things to Watch Tonight
IMPORTANT POINTS
- Can Harrison keep rolling? His last two starts have been dominant (17 Ks in 10 innings). If he’s healthy, he’s tough to hit.
- Buehler vs. Brewers history — Despite a rough 2024 season overall, he’s owned Milwaukee in the past. Which version shows up?
- The Turang-at-SS experiment — He hasn’t started there since 2023. Can he handle the defensive workload?
- Bae’s debut — First start as a Brewer, batting 9th. Does he provide a spark at the bottom of the order?
- Wilson’s instant return — DFA’d → free agency → re-signed → active roster in 4 days. Wild!
Summary
- Brewers (coming off a loss) vs. Padres — Game 2 of the series
- Kyle Harrison starts for Milwaukee — looking to build on two straight excellent outings
- Walker Buehler starts for San Diego — struggling overall this year but historically tough on the Brewers
- Roster chaos: Bryse Wilson returns on a new 1-year deal; Lyon Richardson DFA’d; Drew Rom claimed by Oakland
- Weird lineup: Turang at SS (first time since ’23), Bae at 2B (Brewers debut), Contreras/Yelich moved up
- First pitch: 8:40 PM on Brewers.TV and Radio
FAQ
1. Why did the Brewers bring back Bryse Wilson so fast after letting him go?
Sometimes teams DFA a player to open a roster spot temporarily, intending to re-sign them if they clear waivers (no other team claims them). Since Wilson elected free agency and came back, it suggests both sides wanted to stay together—it was likely a procedural move to manage the 40-man roster.
2. What does it mean that Kyle Harrison had "cramps" in his last start?
Muscle cramps are involuntary contractions—usually from dehydration, fatigue, or electrolyte imbalance. It’s not a serious injury, but it forced him out of the game early as a precaution. He’s had a few extra days’ rest since then.
3. Why is Brice Turang playing shortstop if he hasn’t started there since 2023?
With injuries to the usual left-side infielders (likely Joey Ortiz and/or others), the Brewers need someone who can play shortstop. Turang has experience there from the minors and 2023. It’s a "next man up" situation.
4. Who is Jihwan Bae and why is he starting?
Bae is a versatile infielder acquired recently (via trade or waivers). He’s getting his first Brewers start at second base, batting ninth. The team wants to see what he can do with regular playing time.
5. What’s the deal with Brewers.TV?
It’s the team’s direct-to-consumer streaming service—like Netflix but for Brewers games. You subscribe monthly or yearly to watch games without cable. The radio broadcast is free on the Brewers Radio Network (including the team app and local stations).