Milwaukee Has the Fewest NL Homers, and Nobody Understands How They're Still Winning

Alright, Seattle, listen up, because what the Brewers are doing right now in the National League is just wild, and honestly, you gotta respect the grind! They just pulled off a ridiculous 2-1, 10-inning win against the Cincinnati Reds last night, proving yet again that they don't need the long ball to stack Ws. We’re talking about a team that’s finding ways to win with pure grit, and it’s a masterclass in small-ball that has the rest of the league scratching their heads.

Brewers Prove Small Ball Is ALIVE

As the halfway point of the season rolls around, these guys have figured out who they are, and it’s all about getting it done without the dingers. They've got a comfy five-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central, and they're a whopping 10 1/2 games up on the last-place Reds! The Brewers are sitting third in the majors with 399 runs scored, which is awesome, but get this: they’ve got the fewest home runs in the *entire National League* with just 68! That 2-1 extra-inning win? That’s their whole vibe. Joey Ortiz, who hit the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the 10th to bring Jake Bauers home, nailed it when he said, "We trust each other. We know the next guy is going to get the job done. And if he doesn't, then the next guy will. We all believe in each other." That's team ball, pure and simple!

Pitching Staffs Looking for Answers

Tonight's rematch is gonna be a fascinating one, especially on the mound for both squads. Milwaukee's sending right-hander Brandon Sproat out there, and he's still searching for his second caree

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

r major league win, sitting at 1-4 with a 5.94 ERA. His last outing against the Cleveland Guardians was a quick one, just 3 2/3 innings where he gave up four runs. He actually left that game in the fourth inning with a right hamstring cramp, which he admitted "kind of seems soft" but was super painful. He’s been struggling to go deep into games all season, only lasting more than five innings in four of his 14 appearances since that trade from the Mets back in January. The Reds are countering with struggling lefty Nick Lodolo, who’s at 2-2 with a nasty 6.12 ERA. Lodolo's been battling, making his season debut in May after dealing with a left index finger blister. He was a beast in 2025 with a career-best 3.33 ERA, but June has been brutal for him, rocking an 0-1 record with a 7.80 ERA in his three starts. Last time out, the Mets absolutely hammered him for season highs of seven runs and 11 hits in under five innings. Lodolo knows what’s up, saying he's "trying to get better. It starts with location." He’s gotta find it, fast.

What's Next for This NL Central Battle

So, what does tonight hold? We've got two pitchers looking to turn their seasons around, and a Brewers team that just keeps finding ways to win with their unconventional, yet super effective, small-ball approach. Can Sproat push deeper into the game despite his cramp issues? Will Lodolo find his location and shut down this Brewers lineup he’s actually had some career success against? This series is shaping up to be a tight one, and every game counts when you’re trying to hold onto that division lead. You just know these teams are gonna scratch and claw for every single run.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.