Milwaukee Brewers +700
The Brewers enter the break 2.5 games behind the Cubs with a 55-43 listing and possess the fourth-best NL run differential at +49. Milwaukee includes two starting pitchers on the disabled list in Zach Davies and Jimmy Nelson, yet has allowed the third-fewest runs in the NL (377). The Brewers could find a boost on the offensive side of the ball since they are the front-runner from the odds to land Orioles standout Manny Machado.
Milwaukee has a well-rounded offense and its two significant acquisitions in the offseason are carrying the load. The Brewers traded for Christian Yelich in January, and also the California native ranks third on the team with a .292 batting average and was named to the NL all-star team. Likewise to Yelich, Lorenzo Cain combined Milwaukee in the offseason, signing a five-year, $80-million contract, and has also been named to the NL all-star team. Cain’s batting average is 1 percentage point better than Yelich’s in .293 but he paths in OPS .823 into .820. Besides the two new gamers, Jesus Aguilar is leading the NL with 24 home runs and is third in RBIs with 70.
The Brewers have some work to do if they wish to catch the Cubs in the NL Central Division. However, both offseason acquisitions have hit their stride. Late-season comebacks for a few starting pitchers and a possible huge trade with the Orioles and this club might be poised to snag the NL pennant.
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