Mets prospect Mitch Voit has been on some tear since being promoted to Double-A.
Voit has quickly settled in as one of the main table-setters atop Binghamton's new-look lineup, earning himself back-to-back Eastern League Player of the Week honors.
New York's first-round pick in last year's draft has reached safely in all 11 games up at the new level thus far, and he's recorded a hit in all but two of those.
Easily his most impressive showing came on Thursday night, when he tied the Binghamton single-game franchise record for hits (five) and runs scored (five) in their 23-3 victory.
That effort helped him rack up an impressive .611 AVG, .682 OBP, .778 SLG, and 1.460 OPS.
Voit also doubled three times, swiped as many bases, drew four walks, drove in four runs, and scored nine of his own.
The 21-year-old already climbed up to the organization's fifth-ranked prospect on Joe DeMayo's midseason list, and he figures to only continue rising if he's able to keep this up the rest of the way.
As noted by DeMayo, the Mets helped Voit rework his swing last offseason, and thus far the results have followed.
San Diego Padres SP Casey Mize (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
No question, the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres could face one another in October. The Brewers come to town having won seven of their last 10 games. The Padres have an opportunity to take down one of the National League heavyweights in this three-game series.
Currently, the Brew Crew hold the best record in baseball (77-44) and lead the NL Central by five-and-a-half games over the Chicago Cubs. They’re expected to make the playoffs as either a division winner or a Wild Card berth holder. The Brewers hope to continue being baseball’s road warriors with a 33-22 record away from home.
The Padres are playing their best stretch of baseball (won 12 of their last 16 games) in 2026. It has put them in the chase for the final Wild-Card berth. However, the club faces a tremendous challenge ahead. If the Friars win this series, the national media must finally recognize them as a genuine postseason contender.
Both lineups can mash
Usually, pitching dominates a big series, but this three-game set could be highlighted by each team’s bats.
The Brewers have a quality lineup, especially at the top of the order. Brian Turang and Jackson Chourio have formed a lethal 1-2 punch. Turang is the prototypical leadoff hitter in today’s baseball; he can hit for power (27 doubles, three triples, and 16 home runs) and steal a base late in a close game. Chourio is in the midst of a hot streak (10-36 with 4 HRs) over the last 10 games.
Boasting a balanced attack, the team is currently hitting .253 with 109 home runs, 585 runs scored, and 117 stolen bases this season. While they continue to produce, the lineup is waiting for the return of Sal Frelick, who took a major step by beginning his minor league rehab assignment this past weekend.
We have discussed endlessly how the Padres offense has been MIA for most of the season. However, since the All-Star break, the lineup ranks among the top 10 in several key hitting categories, including team batting average, runs scored, and OPS. During this stretch, the lineup is hitting .272 and outscoring their opponents by 11 runs.
The Friars have five players (Manny Machado (23), Jackson Merrill (18), Ty France (16), Gavin Sheets (15), and Fernando Tatis Jr. (11) who have hit 10 or more home runs. The team is hitting .236 with 124 home runs and 497 runs scored for the season.
The series could come down to which pitching staff can quiet their opponent’s bats. Good news for the Padres: they will miss NL Cy Young Award favorite Jacob Misiorowski in this three-game set.
Taking the mound: Logan Henderson (MIL) vs Casey Mize (SD)
The Brewers will send Logan Henderson (6-1, 2.70 ERA) out to the mound, as he has won three consecutive starts. However, the 2026 season did not start that way; Henderson failed to make the Opening Day roster. His Triple-A numbers (2-0, 1.50 ERA) were outstanding, but a back injury prevented him from being called up.
He is enjoying a breakout campaign. Henderson has struck out 62 batters in 50.0 innings. Opponents are hitting .201 against him in 10 starts. His success is limiting hard-hit balls, as Henderson’s rate is an astounding 34.6%.
Exciting night for Casey Mize (4-7, 3.40 ERA), who is making his first start as a Padre at Petco Park. You always want to make a good first impression, but that was not the case for Mize. He struggled against Arizona; the Diamondbacks roughed him up for eight runs on nine hits over 3.1 innings last week.
This was a rare occurrence for Mize in 2026. His statistical numbers show he pitches well enough to give his team a chance to win the contest. Mize has allowed only 76 hits in 90.0 innings pitched this season.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 27: Hunter Dobbins #40 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium on July 27, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals begin a crucial 3-game homestand against the Philadelphia Phillies Monday night at Busch Stadium. Hunter Dobbins gets the start for the Cardinals while the Phillies will give the ball to Andrew Painter who’s returning from hamstring issues. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45pm central time and the game broadcast will be available through Cardinals.tv.
Seth Halvorsen of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images North America)
The team is calling up reliever Seth Halvorsen from triple-A, a source confirmed on Monday, adding the hard-throwing right-hander to its big-league roster less than a month after he was acquired in a trade with the Colorado Rockies.
A 26-year-old with three seasons of MLB experience and a fastball that routinely tops 100 mph, Halvorsen got the promotion following six scoreless with triple-A Oklahoma City.
He returns to the majors for the first time since late June, when the Rockies placed him on the injured list with shoulder inflammation after he posted a 4.74 ERA in 21 outings to begin the season. In his career, he has a 4.31 ERA with 66 strikeouts in 71 innings.
Seth Halvorsen of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images North America) Getty Images
Halvorsen’s initially arrived in the organization last month via what was a minor transaction at the time, when the Dodgers sent a pair of prospects (pitcher Nick Frasso and outfielder Landyn Vidourek) to the Rockies two weeks before the trade deadline.
Since then, though, the former seventh-round draft pick has flashed impressive stuff at the triple-A level, striking out eight of the 25 batters he has faced.
And now, he joins a Dodgers bullpen that has been in need of reinforcements, especially with top right-handers such as Edwin Díaz and Evan Phillips both scuffling in their return from injuries, and several other veteran options, including Blake Treinen and Brock Stewart, both sidelined on the injured list.
TONIGHT’S GAME: The first-place Astros continue their six-game road trip with the opener of a three-game series at Oracle Park.
RHP Hayden Wesneski (2-0) will make his third start of the season since returning from Tommy John surgery, opposite RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0) and the Giants.
THE TURNAROUND: After a slow start to the season, the Astros are 40-28 since May 22, which is the second best record in the AL in that span.
On that date, the Astros were 20-31, 11 games under, which is their low water mark for the season.
THAT’S OFFENSIVE: The Astros lead the AL in SLG (.415), and OPS (.735), while ranking second in home runs (161), OBP (.321) and hits (983).
In the Majors, the Astros rank third in homers, trailing only the Nationals (171) and Yankees (167).
BIG WES: After missing 14 months with injury, RHP Hayden Wesneski has recorded consecutive winning decisions in two starts in his return to Major League action.
Logged a quality start last Tuesday vs. the Blue Jays (2ER/6IP), marking his longest start since tossing 6.0 innings on April 13, 2025 vs. LAA.
Earned the win in his season debut on July 29 at LAA (3ER/5.2IP)…this solid start to the season has continued a strong run for Wesneski, who was great in his rehab appearances, posting a 2.25 (5ER/20IP) combined ERA in five minor league rehab starts.
Has faced the Giants six times (3 starts) in his career, his second-most appearances vs. an opponent, trailing only the Reds (7g).
AYA IN ACTION: The Astros Nike RBI Softball Team recorded a 6-3 win today over the defending champion Detroit Nike RBI Softball Team in day one of the 2026 Nike RBI Softball World Series in Vero Beach, FL.
The team’s next game will be at 7:45 a.m. CT tomorrow vs. either Softball Beyond Borders Nike RBI or Roberto Clemente Nike RBI.
The Astros Nike RBI Softball Team, which has won five Nike RBI World Series Softball Championship, is making its 12th appearance in the Nike RBI Softball World Series.
ROAD WARRIORS: The Astros continue a six-game West Coast road-trip with the opener of three-game series at Oracle Park, the club’s first trip to the venue since a three-game series from June 10-12, 2024.
Houston has gone 23-15 (.605) on their last five road trips and are 29-21 (.580) on the road since going 1-9 on their first road trip of the season.
Houston is 30-30 overall on the road in 2026.
YESTERDAY’S GAME: The Houston Astros dropped the rubber match of their series vs. the Padres with a 7-2 loss at Petco Park on Sunday Night Baseball.
CF Daulton Varsho belted a two-run homer in the second inning, his first home run as an Astro, to account for all of the club’s scoring.
LF Taylor Trammell (1×3) singled in front of Varsho’s homer to account for the club’s only other hit of the evening.
RHP Cristian Javier (4ER/5IP) was handed the losing decision, making his 2nd consecutive turn in the rotation.
ROSTER MOVES: The Astros have claimed OF Nelson Velázquez off waivers from the Cardinals…Velázquez, 27, has played in 34 games for the Cardinals this season and 228 career games at the Major League level, also appearing with Cubs (2022-23) and Royals (2023-24).
Velázquez owns a career .739 OPS vs. left-handed pitching in the Majors.
To make room for Velázquez on the 40-man roster, the Astros designated IF Shay Whitcomb for assignment.
THE LINEUP: The Astros have used 117 different lineups in their 119 games, repeating a lineup just twice on the season.
DH Yordan Alvarez has the most starts at any spot in the lineup among Astros, hitting second 106 times.
VS. THE GIANTS: The Astros have a long history with the Giants, having played them 741 times, their second-most against a single opponent, trailing only the Reds (860g).
The Giants recorded a three-game sweep in the last series between the clubs from March 31-April 2, 2025, at Daikin Park.
This will mark the Astros’ first trip to Oracle Park since June 10-12, 2024 (Giants went 2-1).
The Astros have a pair of players who spent portions of their Major League careers with the Giants in LHP Steven Okert (2016-18) and OF LaMonte Wade Jr. (2021-25).
MVP-CALIBER: Yordan Alvarez leads the AL in all three Triple Crown categories, ranking first in batting average (.322), HR (35), and RBI (86).
Additionally, he leads MLB in OPS (1.060), OBP (.435), SLG (.624), and TB (266).
In the AL, he ranks first in hits (137), extra-base hits (59), and runs (79), and second in walks (82).
MR. RELIABLE: LHP Steven Okert has recorded a 2.20 ERA (14ER/57.1IP) with 59 strikeouts, 12 walks, a 0.87 WHIP and a .189 opponent batting average in 57 appearances, including one start this season.
Among AL relievers, he ranks first in WHIP (0.81), second in appearances (56), second in H/9 (5.56), second in opponent batting average (.179), fifth in opponent OPS (.546) and seventh in ERA (2.06).
T-TIME: OF Taylor Trammell has been stellar since the club’s road trip to CWS and LAA in late July and has posted a 1.009 OPS (.404 OBP/.605 SLG) with 10 runs, one double, four home runs, eight RBI and seven walks in his last 11 games (since July 26 at CWS).
His 1.009 OPS since July 26 ranks third among AL players in that span (min. 45 PA).
THREES COMPANY: 2B Jose Altuve enters tonight’s game with 224 career games of 3+ hits, which is just one game of 3+ hits from tying Hall of Famer Craig Biggio (225) for the most in Astros franchise history.
Altuve has multiple hits in six of his last 11 games (since July 28 at LAA), batting .349 (15×43) with an .846 OPS in that span.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: 1B Christian Walker has not commited an error in his 113 games at first base this season, which is the longest errorless streak in the Majors this season.
Game Info
Game Date/Time: Monday, August 10, 8:45 p.m. CT
Location: Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA
TV: Space City Home Network
Radio: KBME 790 AM & 94.5 FM HD2; TUDN 102.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 09: Tyler O'Neill #9 of the Baltimore Orioles runs the bases following a two run home run against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on August 09, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Orioles will face a familiar face tonight in Minnesota. Dean Kremer will make his second start for the Twins after spending over six seasons in Baltimore.
The outcome of tonight’s game feels significant. The offense let Shane Baz and Kyle Bradish down over the weekend but broke out for 10 runs on Sunday. The team can take another step forward with a strong performance this evening, but failing to hit Kremer would serve another blow to a struggling lineup.
Gunnar Henderson will look to breakout of a season-long slump in the leadoff spot. He’ll be followed by first baseman Pete Alonso and second baseman Jackson Holliday. Tyler O’Neill will bat cleanup and serve as the DH against the right-handed Kremer.
Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser and Leody Taveras will make up the outfield. Coby Mayo will look to build on a impressive stretch at third base, and Carlos Narváez will catch Trevor Rogers.
Rogers will look to best his old teammate, but there’s more on the line than just bragging rights. The Twins enter the series a half game above the Orioles in the race for the third wild card spot. The Orioles trail Texas by two games after dropping two out of three over the weekend.
You can read more about the series in Minnesota here.
ST. LOUIS – With a tired bullpen and a need to string together some wins, Phillies manager Don Mattingly was looking for one thing from starting pitcher Andrew Painter on Monday night.
“We need a good one,” he said before the game.
Painter delivered.
In his third start since returning from Triple A, the 23-year-old right-hander carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning to help the Phillies beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-5, at Busch Stadium.
Pitching with a 3-0 lead, Painter retired the first batter in the sixth before allowing a walk, a double and a two-run single as the Cardinals made it a one-run game. Painter exited at 93 pitches and Alan Rangel got the final two outs of the inning to preserve the lead.
Painter (2-8) earned his second big-league win and first since his debut on March 31. It was the first time since May 18 that the Phillies won a game started by someone other than Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo or Aaron Nola.
Painter struck out six and walked three.
Rangel, the right-hander who has yo-yoed between Triple A and the majors this season, played a large role in the win.
He got eight outs after Painter left the game, a huge contribution that allowed Mattingly to rest some of his main bullpen guys.
The Phils led 6-2 entering the bottom of the eighth, thanks to an RBI double by Kyle Schwarber in the seventh and a two-run double by Edmundo Sosa in the top of the eighth. The Cardinals got to Rangel for five hits and three runs to make it a one-run game, but the right-hander stranded runners on second and third to get out of the inning with the lead.
A handful of Phillies relievers were clearly unavailable due to recent workload. Finally, after Rangel soaked up eight outs, Mattingly was able to get Jonathan Bowlan up in the bullpen. He got the final three outs and the save.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JUNE 21: Connor Norby #1 of the Miami Marlins in action against the San Francisco Giants at loanDepot park on June 21, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Colorado Rockies have announced they are placing Tyler Freeman on the 10-day IL with lumbar pain and have recalled infielder Connor Norby from Triple-A Albuquerque.
The Rockies announced today the following transactions:
-Placed INF/OF Tyler Freeman on the 10-day IL (retroactive to Aug. 9) with lumbar pain. -Recalled INF Connor Norby (#35) from Triple-A- Albuquerque.
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) August 10, 2026
Norby was drafted in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles and made his MLB debut on June 3, 2024. He appeared in nine games for the Orioles before being traded to the Miami Marlins at the 2024 deadline alongside Kyle Stowers for Trevor Rogers.
In 65 games this season for the Marlins, Norby is slashing .205/.313/.325 with 17 runs scored, 12 doubles, four home runs, 16 RBI, 24 walks and 70 strikeouts. He also has six stolen bases in nine attempts.
He also settled in quickly with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. In 25 plate appearances, he has slashed .400/.520/.800 with a 1.320 OPS. This is, admittedly, a small sample size, but Norby’s ability to play multiple infield positions is consistent with the Rockies strategy of valuing utility players.
As for Tyler Freeman, this will be his second stint on the Injured List during the 2026 season. He was first place on the IL on May 25, 2026, and he returned to the Rockies roster on April 1.
He is slashing .247/.317/.314 in 288 plate appearances.
However, the defensive side of his game continues to lag, and he currently has -9 DRS in the outfield. The Colorado Rockies have announced they are placing Tyler Freeman on the 10-day IL with (INJURY) and have recalled infielder Connor Norby from Triple-A Albuquerque.
Norby was drafted in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles and made his MLB debut on June 3, 2024. He appeared in nine games for the Orioles before being traded to the Miami Marlins at the 2024 deadline alongside Kyle Stowers for Trevor Rogers.
In 65 games this season for the Marlins, Norby is slashing .205/.313/.325 with 17 runs scored, 12 doubles, four home runs, 16 RBI, 24 walks and 70 strikeouts. He also has six stolen bases in nine attempts.
He also settled in quickly with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. In 25 plate appearances, he has slashed .400/.520/.800 with a 1.320 OPS. This is, admittedly, a small sample size, but Norby’s ability to play multiple infield positions is consistent with the Rockies strategy of valuing utility players.
As for Tyler Freeman, this will be his second stint on the Injured List during the 2026 season. He was first placed there on May 25, 2026, and he returned to the Rockies roster on April 1; following that, he also spent time under concussion protocol.
Freeman is slashing .247/.317/.314 in 288 plate appearances.
However, the defensive side of his game continues to lag, and he currently has -9 DRS in the outfield.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 29: Ronald Acuna Jr. #13 of the Atlanta Braves in action against the New York Mets in game two of a double header at Citi Field on July 29, 2026 in New York City. The Braves defeated the Mets 1-0. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Anthony Volpe #11 of the New York Yankees celebrates his first inning home run against the Boston Red Sox with teammate Jasson Dominguez #24 at Yankee Stadium on June 06, 2025 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Red Sox 9-6. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across Major League Baseball. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Yankees fans and fans across the country.
When the Yankees sent down Jasson Domínguez and Anthony Volpe last week, it felt like it might have been the end of an (abbreviated) era. The two former top prospects once shone bright as the future of the Yankees; Domínguez was (irresponsibly) comped to Hall-of-Fame talents from the moment he signed as a teenage IFA, and Volpe tore through the Yankee system after being selected in the first round of the 2019 draft. Both of them flashed immense promise upon debut, Domínguez homering off of Justin Verlander in his first at-bat as part of a torrid first month in the majors, and Volpe wowing early in his career with slick glovework at short and exciting aggression on the base paths.
And yet, after years of struggles and injuries, both found themselves flat demoted, sent to Triple-A for no reason other than their respective failures to hit at the big league level. It felt like the closing of a chapter, two young talents who seemed to have the whole world in their hands before everything came crashing down.
But is it the end? For all their struggles, both players have also had periods of success in the majors at extremely young ages. Domínguez is only 23, Volpe just 25, each have years of team control remaining, and they’re in a business where things change fast. Just because it feels like they’ll never contribute again right now doesn’t mean the pendulum can’t swing back come next spring.
If you had to choose, who do you think could prove to be more of a factor in 2027, Domínguez or Volpe? Let us know in the Feed poll below, and we’ll have analysis of the results later in the week.
TORONTO, CANADA - 2026/06/12: The CN Tower rises against a clear blue sky in downtown Toronto. The 553-meter communications and observation tower is one of Canada's most recognizable landmarks and a defining feature of the city's skyline. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) | LightRocket via Getty Images
The first of four against the Red Sox. We do need some wins.
Okamoto has the day off after fouling the ball off his knee yesterday. So Charles McAdoo gets to play third. He was on a hot stretch with the Bisons, so I’m hoping it continues. And Ernie Clement gets a day off. He rarely gets one, I hope he gets to relax all game.
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 04: MacKenzie Gore #1 of the Texas Rangers pitches during a game against the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Field on August 04, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Gunnar Word/Texas Rangers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers lineup for August 10, 2026 against the Anaheim Angels: starting pitchers are MacKenzie Gore for the Rangers and Reid Detmers for the Angels.
Texas takes on Anaheim in the first of a four game set in the land of Mickey. With a lefty going for the Angels, we have a collection of righthanded bats in the lineup that, well, hit righthanded, anyway.
The lineup:
Langford — CF
Seager — SS
Duran — LF
Nimmo — RF
Burger — 1B
Foscue — DH
Diaz — C
Bride — 3B
Cauley — 2B
8:38 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -111 favorites.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 05: Starting pitcher Dean Kremer #13 of the Minnesota Twins pitches during the 2nd inning of the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
First Pitch: 6:40 pm CDT TV: Twins.TV Radio: TIBN / WCCO 830 / The Wolf 102.9 FM / Audacy
In the revenge tour we’ve all been waiting for, Dean Kremer faces his former team just days after they kicked him to the curb. Minnesota returns to Target Field for a three-series “homestand,” although one neutral-site game and some disjointed midweek scheduling will affect the vibe. Not my vibe, though. We ridin’.
It’ll be Kremer’s second start with Minnesota. In his final outing with Baltimore, he was rocked for eight earned runs, less than a week after allowing six to the Boston Red Sox. Under the tutelage of Pete Maki, however, Kremer held the Kansas City Royals to just one run across five innings. All statistical evidence would indicate that Kremer is about to become the greatest pitcher in Twins franchise history.
For the Orioles, it’s former Marlin Trevor Rogers making his 22nd start of 2026. It’s been a more-or-less average year for Rogers, who boasts a career 108 ERA+ (and a 122 ERA+ with the Orioles), but is only rocking a 99 this year. That’s great in Diamond Dynasty terms, but this is real life, where numbers generally have more than one applicable context.
New addition Kaelen Culpepper is back in the lineup after an off-day in the Milwaukee finale. Austin Martin is still leading off.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - AUGUST 7: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Globe Life Field on August 7, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi has been placed on the 15 day injured list with right posterior elbow inflammation, the team announced today. To take his place on the active roster, the Rangers have recalled pitcher Ben Peoples from AAA Round Rock. In addition, the team announced that pitcher Nolan Kingham, who was designated for assignment to make room for Jordan Montgomery on the active and 40 man roster, has been claimed on waivers by the Seattle Mariners.
So, uh, this isn’t good. Eovaldi started three days ago, on Friday, August 7, against the Baltimore Orioles, and threw 86 pitches over 5.1 innings. Eovaldi is no stranger to the i.l., and he’s been surprisingly healthy so far this season, up to this point — his 22 starts matches his total from last year, and his 132.2 innings pitched surpasses last year’s total of 130.
I will sit and bite my nails nervously until we have more information on Eovaldi’s situation. I would guess that Cal Quantrill, who had been in the rotation until Cody Bradford was activated, will start on Wednesday, which is when Eovaldi’s spot will come up next.
With about 40 games left in the regular season, the Milwaukee Brewers boast the best record in Major League Baseball (74-44), 2.5 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays and three games ahead of the Atlanta Braves. They are on pace to win the NL Central for the fourth year in a row, all while improving their win-loss record each year.
Yet, despite the impeccable record, a Cy Young frontrunner and high-end baserunning, several fans and experts don't seem to be taking the Brewers seriously as World Series contenders. Per BetMGM, the Brewers do have the third-best odds of winning the 2026 World Series at +1000, but that's a far cry from the favorite Los Angeles Dodgers (+155).
Sure, the Dodgers have won two straight World Series, made the biggest acquisition of this year's trade deadline, and boast a starting rotation that could go toe-to-toe with the Avengers, but when the playoffs come around, anything can happen right?
The Brewers have improved each of the last four years, getting further in the playoffs at the same time. Last year, they reached the NLCS for the first time since 2018, and although they were swept by the Dodgers, it was a step in the right direction. If their trajectory over the last few years keeps up, they could very well find themselves in the Fall Classic this time.
So, why are they being overlooked? Is it because they have to stare down the mighty barrel of the Dodgers? Or is there something else that fans are overlooking?
Are the Los Angeles Dodgers too powerful to stop?
Last year, the Dodgers entered the postseason as the National League's No. 3 seed. Despite winning the previous World Series, many fans thought the Dodgers might not have had what it takes to repeat as champions. Obviously, they did.
This year, the team supposedly got even better. The Dodgers acquired the biggest name during free agency in outfielder Kyle Tucker and added strong relief options in Kirby Yates and closer Edwin Diaz despite spending a ton of money just one year prior on closer Tanner Scott, who did not pan out.
In all fairness, Kyle Tucker hasn't panned out either. The $60 million a year man has been underwhelming in 2026, boasting just a .727 OPS. Does that really matter though? The Dodgers have the funds and the talent to make even massive flops look irrelevant. Look no further than last year, when the team acquired Scott to be their closer and did not perform well. Did the Dodgers have to recover from a poor signing? No. They just spent a bunch more money on Diaz the next year.
Tucker is different though. He's an everyday player, taking away reps from other potential stars. In the playoffs, an outfielder is more important than a late-inning arm that can only go once every two or three days.
Furthermore, Tucker hasn't been that great in the postseason recently. Since 2023, Tucker has gone just 13-for-67 (.194) with only four extra-base hits across 21 postseason games. He still does well to get on base, drawing nearly as many walks as he has strikeouts in that span, his bat hasn't been as threatening when October rolls around, and with how poorly he's playing this year, perhaps that massive offseason acquisition will finally come back to haunt the Dodgers.
The team as a whole also has clearly taken a step back on offense. When the Dodgers won the World Series in 2020, they led all of MLB in runs scored. They did the same in 2024, and were second in 2025. This year, they haven't fallen so far behind, ranking fourth (591) with the Brewers right behind them at fifth (585), but it's evidence that while the Brewers have been climbing these last few years, the Dodgers have been falling; a slow fall, but a fall nonetheless. And with how highly touted the Dodgers' pitching staff is, it's easy to look over the fact that the Dodgers rank seventh in MLB in ERA (3.72) while the Brewers rank second (3.47).
How have the Brewers performed against other strong teams?
Other teams such as the San Diego Padres, St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins are in the hunt as well. This season, when facing those eight other teams, the Brewers boast a 27-13 record. They've won more than two-thirds of their games against the best teams in the National League.
For perspective, the Dodgers have a 24-23 record against those same teams (subbing the Dodgers themselves for the Brewers of course). The Braves own a 26-16 record. Good, but not as grand as the Brewers.
In all fairness, both the Dodgers and Braves own 2-1 records against Milwaukee this year, but that's just one series. Anything can happen in three games. We can't assume either team would have the advantage in a seven-game series.
The Cubs are the only team in the National League with a better or similar record than the Brewers against those teams competing for spots in the playoffs (28-15), but the Cubs have gone 2-4 against Milwaukee this year, and have recorded just a .163 batting average and .544 OPS in those games.
How important is pitching in the postseason?
As mentioned earlier, the Brewers currently boast the second-best team ERA in baseball and the best in the National League (3.47). But does that matter in the playoffs?
In 2025, the Dodgers ranked 16th in MLB in team ERA. In 2024, they ranked 13th. In 2023, the Texas Rangers ranked 18th.
In recent years, team pitching hasn't mattered as much as you might think come the postseason. While in 2022, the Houston Astros ranked second in team ERA before winning it all, recent years have favored offensive powerhouses.
That said, while team pitching hasn't mattered as much, single dominant pitching performances have reigned supreme. Just last year, we saw Yoshinobu Yamamoto drag the Dodgers to a World Series title. Yamamoto's Herculean performance was the biggest reason the Dodgers won it all. A single, untouchable arm can make all the difference in a seven-game series, and guess which team has the best pitcher in baseball right now?
Is Jacob Misiorowski built for the postseason?
Jacob Misiorowski has undoubtedly been the best arm in baseball this year, and it stands to reason that should the going get tough in the playoffs, the Brewers would turn to their 24-year-old arm.
The question is whether or not Misiorowksi could handle such a massive workload in such a short span. After all, Yamamoto is currently averaging more than 6.2 innings of work per start , while Misiorowski is averaging barely six.
That might not seem like a huge difference, but it is.
This season, Misiorowski has yet to make an appearance on fewer than four days of rest. In the postseason, it's going to be shorter. Furthermore, he's only pitched more than 100 pitches in a game three times. He also only goes into the seventh inning in just 31.8% of his games.
On the bright side, five of the seven games in which he pitched into the seventh came in a six-game stretch between May 13 and June 12 this year. He gave up just one earned run in that stretch, never had more than five days rest, and threw more than 90 pitches in four of those games. Despite his high velocity, that stretch shows potential for a workhorse load in the playoffs, and that might be exactly what they need.
Brewers' upcoming schedule
Of course, there are still more than 40 games left in the regular season, and one cold stretch could sour any momentum the Brewers have built thus far. Look no further than what is currently happening to the Dodgers.
On Monday, Aug. 10, the Brewers embark on a 12-game stretch during which they will face the Padres, Dodgers and Braves. These series could be a good measuring stick to see just how the Brewers can handle high-caliber opponents day-in, day-out. This will be just the second series against both the Dodgers and Braves for Milwaukee this year.
