Milwaukee Brewers +700
The Brewers enter the break 2.5 games behind the Cubs with a 55-43 record 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, nevertheless has allowed the third-fewest runs in the NL (377). The Brewers could get a boost on the offensive side of the ball as they are the front-runner from the odds to land Orioles standout Manny Machado.
Milwaukee has a yearlong crime and its two significant acquisitions in the offseason are carrying the load. The Brewers traded for Christian Yelich in January, and the California native ranks third on the team with a .292 batting average and has been named to the NL all-star team. Likewise to Yelich, Lorenzo Cain combined Milwaukee at the offseason, signing a $80-million contract, and has also been named to the NL all-star team. Cain’s batting average is one percentage point better than Yelich’s at .293 but he paths in OPS .823 into .820. Besides the two new players, Jesus Aguilar is leading the NL with 24 home runs and is currently third in RBIs with 70.
The Brewers have some work to do if they want to capture the Cubs in the NL Central Division. But their two offseason acquisitions have hit their stride. Late-season comebacks to get a couple of starting pitchers and a potential huge trade with the Orioles and this club might be poised to snag the NL pennant.
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