Milwaukee Brewers Microbrew

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Are the Brewers destined to suffer regardless of how the work stoppage goes? (09.03.2026) Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

The Brewers are surging toward the playoffs (with a couple wins over the Chicago Cubs boosting spirits), but the clouds are forming for what happens after the season, when Major League Baseball's owners appear poised to initiate a lockout at the end of the current collective bargaining agreement. Labor lawyer Eugene Freedman, a former baseball writer, joins the podcast to discuss the lay of the land. Is there any way the players' union accepts a salary cap? Are the Brewers uniquely positioned to lose either way since they're a small-market team that spends? Could anything change if the Brewers make the World Series in 2026?

The rotation will make or break the Brewers in October, so who are the top three? Plus, an interview with Gordon Wittenmyer about the Cubs (08.31.2026) Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

It was another week of series victories for the Brewers, and though the Chicago Cubs are welcoming Milwaukee in a big four-game series, the National League Central feels very much in Milwaukee's control. Journal Sentinel reporter Todd Rosiak and host JR Radcliffe look at the thing that will make or break the Brewers in October: the rotation. After Dustin May's rough start Sunday, is there concern about his early results with the Brewers? What about Kyle Harrison, who's getting results but still battling through some red flags? Jacob Misiorowski battles another mound (successfully), Logan Henderson absolutely dazzles and Robert Gasser's somewhat confounding season continued with a great showing in emergency relief. Also, is David Hamilton a good defender?

In Three Up Three Down (28:30), they discuss the Citi Squirrel, DL Hall's emergence and Andrew Fischer's three-homer night in the minors. In Remembrew When (43:00), JR looks back at another game that involved wildlife back in 1990. In Todd's Take of the Week (46:40), we've reached a point where the Cubs are in must-win mode.

Then, JR chats with National League Central reporter Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer (49:30) talking about the Cubs. What's going right and what's going wrong? And what about the Reds, another team the Brewers will see a lot over the next two weeks?

Let's check in on the City Connect uniforms and, yes, Pat Murphy benching Cooper Pratt (08.27.2026) Aug 27, 2026

Show notes

As we head into the final month of the 2026 season, have our feelings changed on the City Connect jerseys, now that the initial wave of reaction has cooled off? The Brewers are playing well in them, including the Misiorowski-Sale clash last Friday, and there's another upcoming battle this week. Milwaukee radio veteran Bart Winkler joins the show to discuss why the "Wisco" look bothers him so much and if anything has changed since the season began. Why do we care about uniforms so much, anyway? Have fans come around to embrace the look? Is there anything weird about the team marketing to the "rest of the state" so eagerly?

Before that, host JR Radcliffe is joined by Journal Sentinel beat reporter Curt Hogg from New York, and he discusses the controversial decision by manager Pat Murphy to bench Cooper Pratt for poor fundamentals ... a decision that had consequences in Milwaukee's 3-2 loss to the Mets on Tuesday. Is it part of a concerning trend? Or was it simply Murphy knowing his clubhouse, even if he's using "old school" methods?

Another showcase week for Jake Bauers as Brewers win two more series, plus a conversation with Antonio Senzatela (08.24.2026) Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

The Brewers stayed on pace for a 100-win season with series wins over the Seattle Mariners and Atlanta Braves this week, even if the ending at the Little League Classic was a bit of a bummer. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe look back at another showcase week for Jake Bauers, in the midst of perhaps the best offensive Brewers season since peak Christian Yelich. A wild slide to kick start a 22-0 win and a home run after 12 pitches will be among the highlights of the year. They discuss Chris Sale vs. Jacob Misiorowski, Robert Gasser's future, the Joey Ortiz resurgence and more.

In Three Up Three Down (32:00), they discuss Luis Lara's milestone homer, Brandon Sproat in a no-hitter in the minors, William Contreras with a bounceback week and Gary Sánchez doing work on the hill. Remembrew When (50:00) looks back at another lopsided shutout in recent Brewers history and Curt Blanche (53:00) tackles a few topics, including Jackson Chourio and the Little League showcase.

Then, JR chats with new Brewers relief pitcher Antonio Senzatela (1:04:30), discussing his arrival to a new franchise for the first time in his career, his lone playoff appearance for the Rockies at American Family Field and his roots in Venezuela.

Looking back at Hank Aaron's final two seasons as a Milwaukee Brewer (08.19.2026) Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

With the Brewers celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hank Aaron's final career season this year, we take a look back at his brief career-closing tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers in 1975 and 1976. Joining the program are Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, and Bob Buege, Milwaukee baseball historian, to discuss Aaron's tenure, legacy and connection to Milwaukee. The Brewers will be giving away a replica jersey of Aaron on Friday when they face the Braves, the franchise that enjoyed a remarkable run in Milwaukee before relocating to the chagrin of local fans. It's an all-Hank Aaron episode (well, and a little about that 22-0 win over the Seattle Mariners on Monday).

Wild west-coast trip ends with three wins out of four against the Dodgers. Plus: A conversation with Brewers minor leaguers (08.17.2026) Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

What a wild road trip, starting with a panic-inducing sweep at the hands of the Padres and followed by an epic series in Los Angeles, where the Brewers won three of four. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg attempts to encapsulate all of it with host JR Radcliffe. Did the ninth inning Thursday become the turning point of the season? How do we classify this offense exactly? What about William Contreras in particular. The news is decent on the injury front, and Jacob Misiorowski, Dustin May, Logan Henderson and Jake Bauers are all stars. What's up with the rotating wheel of infield options (and can any of them make a play on defense)?

In Three Up Three Down (33:30), they discuss a meltdown in San Diego starring Luis Rengifo, some quality moments of defense and Miz's escape against Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. In Remembrew When (48:15), JR looks back at another time the Dodgers edged out the Brewers for a trade-deadline prize ... and then faced the Brewers in short order like Tarik Skubal on Sunday. In Curt Blanche (52:45), Curt has a saucy take about the Dodgers.

Then, JR sits down with Brewers minor leaguers Jacob Hurtubise and Kaleb Bowman (1:01:30), who may not be household names but have intriguing baseball journeys. It's part of JR's visit to the Nashville Sounds last week.

A conversation with minor-league managing legend Rick Sweet (and a couple players, too) (08.13.2026) Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

The Milwaukee Brewers had a terrible three days in San Diego, so let's navigate away from Milwaukee for a moment to visit with the Nashville Sounds, the Class AAA affiliate of the Brewers and the last stop before American Family Field for teems of prospects. Rick Sweet, who's been Triple-A manager for the Brewers for 12 years, just won his 2,500th game and is within striking distance of the all-time record for career minor-league managerial wins. Host JR Radcliffe asked Sweet about his legacy, his process, his background and the strange reality of never getting an MLB managerial interview despite decades of success. Then, JR also chats with players Luke Adams and Brock Wilken, two top-30 prospects both playing corner infield for the Sounds (and now joined by new teammate Blake Burke).

Brewers are 30 games above .500; are we crazy to still have concerns? Plus: A conversation with Luis Lara, and others (08.10.2026) Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

An eventful homestand featured the Brewers going 5-2, even with some pitching struggles and week-ending injuries that have left the Brewers a little thin on reliable options. A Sunday walk-off capped a week that vaulted the Brewers 30 games above .500. Brewers reporter Todd Rosiak and host JR Radcliffe dive in on the struggles of the rotation's back end, the arrival of Dustin May and his Brewers debut, the other newcomers to the roster, a fascinating week for Christian Yelich, a change of scenery for Brandon Sproat and the encouraging showings by Kyle Harrison and Logan Henderson.

In Three Up Three Down (29:30), they discuss hot runs from Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn, an uncomfortable moment for Cooper Pratt and a newcomer out of nowhere. In Remembrew When (42:30), JR commemorates Dustin May's arrival with another mid-summer red-headed acquisition. After Todd's Take of the Week (50:30), JR has a trio of interviews.

Newly acquired Pirates reliever Lake Bachar (55:00) attended UW-Whitewater and first made his name as a kicker on the national-championship football team. Connor Prielipp (1:02:10) hails from Tomah and started against his childhood team (and Jacob Misiorowski) on Sunday. And then, it's new outfielder Luis Lara (1:02:10), whose ridiculous catches Sunday proved massive in Milwaukee's 4-3 win.

How'd the Brewers do at the trade deadline? (08.05.2026) Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

This week's midweek Microbrew looks at how the Brewers fared at the 2026 trade deadline, adding three pitchers in two deals, including one for a pair of top-flight minor leaguers. But was it enough? Plus: Some additional thoughts on the Dodgers landing Tarik Skubal and conspiracy corner.

Then, hear from the two newest Brewers with audio of Dustin May and Antonio Senzatela (30:00) from Aug. 4, their first day with the Brewers.

Brewers tread water out west, and everyone's talking about a trade they didn't make. Plus: A conversation with scout Ginger Poulson (08.03.2026) Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

The Brewers went 3-3 in San Francisco and Anaheim, and the trade deadline has arrived, but the Brewers won't be getting Tigers star Tarik Skubal; he's going to the Los Angeles Dodgers empire instead. Host JR Radcliffe and Journal Sentinel Brewers reporter Curt Hogg discuss the many angles of the Skubal trade. Were the Brewers involved? Should they have been more involved? Are the Dodgers unbeatable now? Is the system continuing to betray the Brewers? They also discuss the trade Milwaukee did make, sending Craig Yoho to Cleveland for two minor leaguers, and the recent Aaron Ashby usage.

In Three Up Three Down (41:30), Jake Bauers has a broken toe but is as good as ever, Jacob Misiorowski's cutter usage is puzzling, a draftee doesn't sign and Thomas Pannone makes an appearance. In Remembrew When (57:45), it's a look back at another strange deadline. In Curt Blanche (1:06:00), Curt offers the final word on what to anticipate in the final stretch before the deadline hits.

Then, JR chats with Brewers scout Ginger Poulson (1:09:00), who discusses how scouting works, her success rate with players in the Midwest, her Waukesha roots (and very early Brewers connection) and the rigors of the road. She's responsible for scouting and encouraging the Brewers to draft some of the top players in the system, including Luke Adams, Josh Adamczewski, Ethan Dorchies, Yoho and more.

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