Milwaukee Brewers Microbrew Milwaukee Brewers Podcast

William Contreras continues to look like an MVP candidate, with his 13th pitch-homer off future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander the latest example. Brewers reporter Todd Rosiak and host JR Radcliffe discuss the unreal season from the Brewers backstop and revisit a trade that seems destined to live forever.

In general, the power was there for the Brewers this week, but the patchwork starting rotation is barely getting by. Will that come back to haunt Milwaukee, or can the team remain on its first-place path thanks to its cadre of effective relievers? Plus: Joey Ortiz steps up, Rhys Hoskins in lost with injury and Remembrew When looks back at another 13-pitch blast.

Then, JR is joined by rookie starter Robert Gasser (48:45), who now has two strong outings on his MLB resume. After that, JR chats with Jared Koenig (55:30), a reliever whose winding path to the big leagues took him to five different independent leagues, including one in New Zealand.

Musical cues (in order of use): "Strobes" by Epocha, "Ricketts Glenn" by Roy Williams and "Rock is Back" by Got Happy. Royalty-free music available at EpidemicSound.com. 

Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe revisit a 4-3 week for the Brewers, one with a number of highlights, including an excellent debut start from pitcher Robert Gasser on Friday. Plus, Rhys Hoskins and Willy Adames deliver big-time home runs, Christian Yelich is back and mashing yet again, and the St. Louis Cardinals look ... bad. What's up with Jackson Chourio (and Joey Ortiz) getting held out of the starting lineup. Remembrew When looks back at the Happy Youngster and Curt's Take of the Week is tackling a Sunday send.

Then, JR is joined by Joey Ortiz, who discusses the circumstances that brought him to Milwaukee and the origin of his Packers fandom.

Musical cues (in order of use): "Strobes" by Epocha, "Ricketts Glenn" by Roy Williams and "Rock is Back" by Got Happy. Royalty-free music available at EpidemicSound.com. 

The Brewers were in Wrigley Field to take on the Cubs and old manager Craig Counsell, but by then the story of the week had been written. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss a turbulent Rays series featuring some controversial umpiring, a brawl, a debut for top prospect Tyler Black and Rickie Weeks as manager. Then came the Cubs series, a somewhat dispiriting series loss.

Remembrew When and Curt Blanche are also discussing brawls before JR has an interview with rookie pitcher Tobias Myers (49:00) on his first couple appearances in the big leagues and a fascinating minor-league career arc. After that, it's Verona High School alumnus Ben Rortvedt (58:00), who started all three games for the Rays at American Family Field and has found a big-league footing after a litany of injuries sidetracked him.

Musical cues (in order of use): "Strobes" by Epocha, "Ricketts Glenn" by Roy Williams and "Rock is Back" by Got Happy. Royalty-free music available at EpidemicSound.com. 

The Milwaukee Brewers were able to finish the week 3-4, but it wasn't a great overall stretch, if for no other reason that the team is down yet another starting pitcher (and this time for the whole season). Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe once again try to figure out how Milwaukee can piece it together, especially with Joe Ross struggling, too. The offense has a slow week but does enough for a split in Pittsburgh, followed by a thrilling walk-off win against the Yankees, but then a lot goes wrong (including a mis-Judged play by the umpires Sunday).

Remembrew When goes back to 1979 for another unforgettable walk-off against the Yankees, and Curt Blanche reminds us what's ahead: the Brewers' first games against the Chicago Cubs and former manager Craig Counsell.

Then, JR chats with reliever Bryan Hudson, one of the biggest bright spots of the 2024 season thus far. They discuss his Illinois upbringing, his sidearm delivery and, yes, about his height.

Musical cues (in order of use): "Strobes" by Epocha, "Ricketts Glenn" by Roy Williams and "Rock is Back" by Got Happy. Royalty-free music available at EpidemicSound.com. 

The Milwaukee Brewers offense had another breakout day Saturday, part of a week that featured a series win in St. Louis. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the success, including the excellence of Brice Turang and Blake Perkins moving closer toward that elusive "sustainable" category, plus the MVP-caliber start by catcher William Contreras. But what about the pitching, specifically embattled starter DL Hall? And is it a problem the way new manager Pat Murphy deploys his bullpen dissimilarly from his predecessor, Craig Counsell?

Remembrew When (52:50) revisits a bullpen game that nearly turned into a no-hitter in 1988, and Curt Blanche (54:10) looks at the Cardinals ... just what are they doing, exactly?

Then, JR sits down with outfielder Blake Perkins (1:04:15), who's off to a hot start. They discuss his unusual path to the big leagues, his elite center-field defense and his fully updated LinkedIn page.

Musical cues (in order of use): "Strobes" by Epocha, "Ricketts Glenn" by Roy Williams and "Rock is Back" by Got Happy. Royalty-free music available at EpidemicSound.com. 

The Milwaukee Brewers' offense is en fuego. Before a competitive loss against old friend Corbin Burnes on Sunday, the team rattled off six straight games scoring at least seven runs, going 4-2 on the road in Cincinnati and Baltimore to move to 10-4 thus far, the best record in the National League. Which parts could be real, and what are the areas of concern? Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Todd Rosiak joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss a rematch with Burnes, an injury to Christian Yelich, the return of Wade Miley, a series of bad breaks in the minor leagues, Blake Perkins going above and beyond but also some players who are laboring out of the gate. Remembrew When explores a similar hot offensive run in 1989, plus Todd's Take of the Week.

Musical cues (in order of use): "Strobes" by Epocha, "Ricketts Glenn" by Roy Williams and "Rock is Back" by Got Happy. Royalty-free music available at EpidemicSound.com.