Milwaukee Brewers Microbrew

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Let's talk trade deadline; could the Brewers really be more aggressive in 2026? (07.29.2026) Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

The trade deadline is less than a week away. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe look at several aspects to the trade deadline, including the customary shouting of possible player acquisitions. But more than that, could this team really be more aggressive than in years past? A look back at deadline activity around Matt Arnold, the players who'd be possible trade chips (including at least one top prospect of note), why the right deal for Tarik Skubal or Mason Miller is so hard to envision and why Curt feels like deadline discourse has gotten way out of hand.

Brewers take care of business against Mets and Rockies, with more Miz Magic, plus a conversation with Nestor Corredor (07.27.2026) Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Yet another productive week for the Milwaukee Brewers has them continuing to threaten for the best record in baseball, and the trade deadline is just about here. Will the Brewers be bold this deadline? Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss yet another electric outing from Jacob Misiorowski to end the week, plus a seemingly surprise roster move in the team's decision to designate Lance McCullers for assignment after just two outings. Joey Ortiz is on fire, Cooper Pratt is on the board with his first homers, Christian Yelich is showing signs of life and several Brewers alumni were back for a legends game at American Family Field.

In Three Up Three Down (25:45), they discuss an ugly return for old friend Freddy Peralta, Andrew Fischer doing some great work with the bat (and his social-media account) and the documentary about Bob Uecker. In Remembrew When (40:10), JR looks back at a notable moment for alumni game MVP Randy Wolf, and in Curt Blanche (42:30), Curt has some thoughts on the trade deadline.

Then, JR sits down with Brewers coach Nestor Corredor (48:25), a native Venezuelan who sheds light on baseball in his home country and the team's relief efforts for the Venezuelan earthquake.

Trade deadline chatter with Robert Murray, plus a conversation with Richie Sexson (07.22.2026) Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

Could the Brewers actually make a deadline splash? Robert Murray of FanSided joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the landscape we get within two weeks of the Aug. 3 deadline. Who's available? Who could the Brewers realistically make a push for? What do they need? Are there even enough sellers this year?

Then, JR chats with Richie Sexson, the former Brewers slugger who will partake in the Brewers alumni legends game July 24 after the game against the Colorado Rockies. What's he been up to since his career ended?

A fun weekend sweep after the all-star break and the Lance McCullers trade. Plus: An interview with Braden Shewmake (07.20.2026) Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

The Brewers staged two walk-off wins in a sweep of the Marlins after the all-star break; are we crazy to still have serious questions about this offense? Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss the great start to the unofficial second half, even with discouraging injury news about Brandon Woodruff (and Sal Frelick, for that matter). They discuss the Lance McCullers acquisition and why it doesn't change much for Milwaukee, Christian Yelich at leadoff and Garrett Mitchell's bona fide breakout season.

In Three Up Three Down (41:45), they hit on a first-round draft pick signing, an infamous 2022 trade that got a strange spotlight in 2026 and some actual good news on the injury front. In Remembrew When (57:15), JR riffs on a week of smoky skies to discuss a 1977 fog game. In Curt Blanche (1:00:45), Curt finds issues with a popular sports brand and JR has some thoughts on the all-star game discourse.

Then, JR is joined by new Brewers infielder Braden Shewmake (1:09:30), who found himself a Brewer with one game to play before the all-star break. They discuss his brief time as a Savannah Banana, his father's ties to Texas Division III baseball, his future Brewers teammate who was a Team USA roommate and how he gives back through hunting.

The Brewers make a trade for pitching and breaking down the 2026 draft with Spencer Michaelis (07.16.2026) Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Spencer Michaelis of Brewer Fanatic and Backfield Brew joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the Brewers' 2026 draft, from top pick Brady Ebel and second-round pick Sawyer Strosnider to the sleepers Spencer really likes, including a dominant high-school pitcher from California. After JR looks back at the all-star game (a boring 4-0 win by the American League), the two also discuss the news Wednesday that the Brewers had traded for Astros pitchers Lance McCullers Jr. and Colton Gordon. Both pitchers have some question marks; what should we make of the transaction? Plus: What are the minor-league story lines to watch in the second half of 2026?

Brewers limp to the midway point, still in great shape. We have first-half thoughts (07.13.2026) Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

The Brewers had a strange week, first taking four of five against the Cardinals and then laying an egg in Pittsburgh, but they arrive at the all-star break in great shape. Can they keep this up with a pitching staff on the mend? Brewers reporter Curt Hogg, driving from Pittsburgh to all-star festivities in Philadelphia, joins host JR Radcliffe to discuss the team's pitching misfortunes, with serious injury news for Brandon Woodruff and lesser but bothersome concerns around Kyle Harrison and Jacob Misiorowski. What happens next for Christian Yelich, who may have fallen off a cliff statistically? What about Jackson Chourio and William Contreras, and a struggling Aaron Ashby? Luis Lara debuts, David Hamilton gets hurt, the team added Bryse Wilson and Braden Shewmake and Joey Ortiz is hitting the ball well.

In Three Up Three Down (39:30), top prospects get their chance to compete in the futures game, a relief pitcher who has found a rhythm and a rainout with no rain. In Remembrew When (53:00), discussion of a famous Brewers tie (no, not the all-star one) and in Curt Blanche (56:30), we say hello to the city of Brotherly Love.

Then, JR sits down with reliever Garrett Stallings (1:02:05), who got sent back to Class AAA but not after some excellent small-sample work with the big-league club after a long minor-league journey.

What to know about the medical issues facing Brandon Woodruff, Quinn Priester (07.09.2026) Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

On this week's midweek Microbrew, host JR Radcliffe chats with Dr. Karie Zach, a sports medicine physician at the Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin Health Network, to try and get a better sense of the types of ailments pitchers Brandon Woodruff and Quinn Priester are facing. What exactly are cysts, and how do they cause problems in a surgically repaired shoulder? What are the treatments and why is the shoulder such a complex component of the body? What is thoracic outlet syndrome, how exactly does it work and why is the surgery to fix it such a grisly sounding procedure? Dr. Zach isn't affiliated with the Brewers but does have insight on how those ailments might impact a regular person or an athlete.

Yes, we know there was an ominous update on the Woodruff front July 7; this conversation was recorded earlier in the day.

JR also discusses a hot start to the week in St. Louis (recorded before Wednesday's loss), with three wins in two days starring Robert Gasser, Jacob Misiorowski, Joey Ortiz and newcomer Luis Lara.

Brandon Woodruff lost to injury again, RISP issues continue but Brewers just keep winning. Plus: A conversation with Frank Cairone (07.05.2026) Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

The Milwaukee Brewers continue to struggle with runners in scoring position and lost starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff yet again with more complications from his balky right shoulder, but the wins kept coming in during a 5-2 week. Brewers reporter Todd Rosiak and host JR Radcliffe dive into the loss of Woodruff, Garrett Mitchell's remarkable week, more great work from the pitching staff, including a bullpen in flux, Joey Ortiz finding some success, a Cooper Pratt progress report and a look at the Brewers representatives at the upcoming all-star game (and the snubs). Also, does anyone know what the "can't block the plate" rule actually looks like?

In Three Up Three Down (30:10), Aaron Ashby gets yet another win, Ortiz has a moment in the sun, home-run robberies galore and a scoring decision that looms large for Jacob Misiorowski. In Remembrew When (47:30), JR looks back at an all-time pitcher's duel back in 1963. In Todd's Take of the Week (53:15), they look ahead to this week's draft.

Then, we hear a chat between Curt Hogg and Brewers prospect Frank Cairone (1:00:20), who was seriously injured in a car accident in early January but has bounced back to make his first professional appearance in early July for the Arizona rookie-league team.

A conversation with the directors of 'Ueck' (07.02.2026) Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

The midweek addition of Microbrew brings us an interview with Steve Farr and Michael Vollmann, co-directors of the movie "Ueck," which will be in area Marcus Theaters later this month. They discuss the execution of the idea to chronicle the story of Bob Uecker, creating a documentary that wound up following the iconic broadcasters through the final three years of his amazing life.

Starters look great, but offense struggles in key spots despite 4-2 week. Plus: A chat with Cooper Pratt (06.29.2026) Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

The Milwaukee Brewers offense and bullpen have been going through it, even though the team has continued so steadily rack up wins. An ugly loss to Chicago on Sunday highlighted the team's sudden woes with runners in scoring position, which has typically been Milwaukee's calling card. The bullpen, meanwhile, is short on arms. Even the wins were ugly, but on the bright side, the team's starting pitching might be at the peak of its powers right now, particularly with the triumphant return of Brandon Woodruff. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss the 4-2 week and which aspects of the team's issues are concerning: Christian Yelich? Chad Patrick? Aaron Ashby? Brice Turang?

In Three Up Three Down (36:45), they discuss an emotional win involving Venezuelan players whose hearts were with their home country, Joey Ortiz's big Monday, and an escape in Cincinnati, plus an anticipated return from a rehabbing pitcher. In Remembrew When (55:45), JR looks at another manager who overcame health problems to return to the bench, somewhat similar to Pat Murphy's return one day after back surgery. In Curt Blanche (59:50), Curt's thinking about another Milwaukee star athlete.

Then, JR is joined briefly by new shortstop Cooper Pratt (1:10:45) to discuss the start of his big-league career.

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