NLDS Preview: Brewers Starters Against Braves Hitters

Aug 11, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (39) returns to the dugout after pitching against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

On paper, one storyline heading into the NLDS between the Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves is how the Brewers pitching will fair against the Braves hitters.

Atop the Brewers starting rotation is Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Freddy Peralta. This trio has been breaking many records this year including Burnes winning the ERA title. Burnes has been announced as the starter for game one, Woodruff for game two, and it is expected that Peralta will start game three.

The Braves lineup is very home run dependent. Their ability to hit the long ball will be a big x-factor for this series. They had four players finish with 30 or more home runs and shortstop Dansby Swanson just missed the cut.

With nearly everyone in the Braves lineup presenting a power threat, let’s take a look at how the Brewers big three in Woodruff, Burnes, and Peralta have fared against their hitters.

Adam Duvall lead the league in runs batted in this year with 113. Additionally, he added 38 home runs between both the Marlins and Braves. Here is how he has performed throughout his career against the Brewers trio.

Freddie Freeman ended the season with the best batting average among qualified first basemen. He also hit right handed pitchers extremely well to the tune of a .317 average. He is a dangerous hitter and someone the Brewers will have to pitch very carefully, especially because he has had success against us before.

Riley‘s second half surge was a big reason for the Braves success. He finished the regular season with a batting average over .300, hit over 30 home runs and doubles, and added over 100 RBI’s. He definitely is a Brave to worried about entering this series.

This year the switch hitting second basemen Ozzie Albies set new career highs in home runs (30) and RBI’s (106). His batting average did decrease to the tune of .259. However, he is yet to take any of the big three deep.

Swanson got off to a slow start this year and to some might have had a down season. However, he still managed to hit 27 home runs and drive in over 80 runs. Of the Braves hitters listed, he has had the most success against the Brewers trio of top starters.

To be fair to Burnes, those two home runs Swanson hit off him came in 2018 and 2019, when he was a far different pitcher than what he is now.

The Brewers have relied upon their starting pitchers all season long and will be looking for great performances again. How they do against the above hitters will have a big impact on the series. Game 1 is slated to begin on Friday October 8th at 3:37 CT.