Milwaukee Brewers Microbrew

Latest Episodes:

The two Brandons dazzle in Cincinnati and a farewell to Giannis Antetokounmpo (06.25.2026) Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Midweek Microbrew spends some time with Curt Hogg (10:15) dissecting back-to-back incredible pitching performances in Cincinnati from Brandon Woodruff and Brandon Sproat. Both were unexpected for different reasons; what does it mean for the future of the rotation as Milwaukee enters a difficult stretch? Then, as the Wisconsin sports world confronts life without Giannis Antetokounmpo, hear this week's episode of the Point Forward Podcast (25:00), where JR and Bucks reporters Jim Owczarski and Lori Nickel discuss the blockbuster trade and the legacy of a Milwaukee sports superstar.

Is there any reason for concern about some of Milwaukee's best players? Plus: Meet Spencer Allen and Evan Martin (06.22.2026) Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss a solid (but somewhat frustrating) 3-3 week, including the arrival of shortstop Cooper Pratt, taking Luis Rengifo's place on the roster. How'd he do in his first week of MLB baseball? They check in on a few top players (Christian Yelich, Brice Turang, William Contreras, Aaron Ashby) and discuss whether there is any reason to worry about their recent results. Quinn Priester is officially out for the year; how big of a loss is that for the Brewers? Robert Gasser was good again, Brandon Woodruff should be back this week and is Brandon Sproat a reliever? Plus, are we sure the Brewers are actually an excellent defensive team?

In Three Up Three Down (40:45), we may have a new future third base candidate and a manager on the mend. In Remembrew When (57:00), JR looks back at another glove-first shortstop making a high-profile debut two decades ago. In Curt Blanche (1:02:45), perhaps an early trade-deadline prescription?

Then, JR chats with first-base coach Spencer Allen (1:11:30) and game-preparation specialist Evan Martin (1:18:45), two coaches who play a big role in the Brewers success in 2026, even if you're not all that familiar with their roles. Allen was a pioneering head coach in the Big Ten before he joined the Brewers, and Martin walked away from a Division I baseball scholarship to become a full-time team employee.

Why can't anyone hit Jacob Misiorowski? A deep dive into his rapid metamorphosis (06.17.2026) Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

It's another midweek Microbrew, with host JR Radcliffe and special guest Jack Stern of Brewer Fanatic, who uses his pitching expertise to help explain what's turned Jacob Misiorowski into one of baseball's superstars seemingly overnight. They dive deep into what the Brewers have done to contribute to his success, why he's so hard to hit (yes, he throws extremely hard, but it's more than that), how he's improved physically and mentally and more on the mechanics of a one-man revolution. They also touch briefly on the arrival of Cooper Pratt, the decision to part ways with Luis Rengifo and what fans can expect from their new young shortstop.

Then, we dig into the archive for a 2023 conversation with Jim Callis (27:00), draft expert from MLB.com, going over the machinations of the 2023 draft and how the Brewers put Pratt at the center of their plans. Perhaps you'll find a Misiorowski reference or two in that conversation, as well.

Our semi-regular midweek episodes will tackle a bigger topic in depth, with another regular episode landing Monday morning on the week in review.

An all-time start from Jacob Misiorowski and Cooper Pratt is coming to town. Plus: A conversation with Garrett Mitchell (06.15.2026) Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Jacob Misiorowski gave us a one-of-a-kind performance June 12, with 15 strikeouts in a complete-game shutout in which he only threw 95 pitches. How is this even possible? Host JR Radcliffe and Brewers reporter Curt Hogg look at the incredible win over the Phillies, how Misiorowski has gotten so good, so fast, and what it was like during a special night at American Family Field. Plus: Cooper Pratt is headed to the big leagues this week, adding a new young player to Milwaukee's offense. The guys also discuss the bizarre playing conditions in Las Vegas and a resulting 15-14 game, Jackson Chourio's power surge, and a tough week for Chad Patrick.

In Three Up Three Down (37:20), they discuss Blake Perkins' stunning first homer of the year, the Truss Club, Bananaball, a new reliever in Joel Kuhnel and the team's long-term catching situation. In Remembrew When (57:20), JR goes back to the highest-scoring game in club history, and it's not pretty. In Curt Blanche (1:00:15), Curt gives some thoughts (and some bars) on the New York Knicks.

Then, JR chats with Garrett Mitchell (1:07:35), who's been healthier than ever this year, and even though he continues to harbor a strange profile (he knows it, too), he's become an essential Brewers component as the team's center fielder.

Emergency podcast: Brewers sign Luis Lara to extension and play an all-time wacky game (06.10.2026) Jun 10, 2026

Show notes

How about a mid-week Microbrew for your earbuds? Host JR Radcliffe catches up with Spencer Michaelis, Brewers minor-league savant, to discuss the news that the team was extending minor-league outfielder Luis Lara and putting him on the 40-man roster. What are the Brewers getting with Lara? Where does he fit on the current roster, and more importantly, WHEN does he fit? Why hasn't Lara been a bigger name on his way up the minor-league ladder? Spencer provides keen insight on that and more minor-league topics, like who might be next to sign an extension and a couple intriguing recent names. They also talk about the wild 15-14 win Milwaukee staged in Las Vegas over the Athletics on June 8.

Brewers bats deliver late-game magic in Colorado, but Jacob Misiorowski is again the story. Plus: A conversation with Javik Blake (06.08.2026) Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

The Brewers rattled off another five wins in seven tries and just missed taking the other two, as well. The bats came alive in Colorado (at least, once the first few innings were out of the way), and yet Jacob Misiorowski somehow became the story again with another incredible showing against the Rockies. The Brewers have gotten to 40 wins faster than any other Brewers team in history, and the top-shelf pitching remains elite, although the rest of the rotation remains in flux. Brewers reporter Todd Rosiak and host JR Radcliffe discuss Miz's rapid evolution, Kyle Harrison against his old team, a bullpen suddenly ravaged with injuries, David Hamilton turning a corner and perhaps assuming the full-time starting shortstop role, and hey, look, a trade!

In Three Up Three Down (33:45), they talk Pablo Sanchez, a potentially interesting date on the Luis Rengifo timeline and some caustic comments by Jonathan Lucroy. In Remember When (52:30), JR looks back at a pitcher you maybe never heard of, but he's a Wisconsin native who became a mythic hero with the Milwaukee Braves organization before injuries, and in Todd's Take of Week (55:45), he peeks ahead to an unusual venue for the next Brewers series.

Then, JR sits down with Biloxi Shuckers announcer Javik Blake (1:00:00), whose job includes watching the No. 1 prospect in baseball, Jesús Made. Blake talks about the other stars on the Brewers' Class AA team, the strange trend facing pitchers in minor league baseball and more. Apologies for the unusually hollow-sounding audio on JR's end.

Reflecting on the May of Miz, Abner Uribe and other pitching machinations with Jack Stern, plus a conversation with Coleman Crow (05.31.2026) Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Jacob Misiorowski and the Milwaukee Brewers capped a remarkable month of May, with yet another dominant outing from the Brewers ace and a 19-7 overall showing in the month. Host JR Radcliffe and special guest Jack Stern discusses where Miz has taken the next step and the Abner Uribe episode that involved an over-the-top celebration, a one-game suspension and the Cardinals-Brewers drama that it unveiled. Trevor Megill's return to the closer's job is about more than just that, and Jack gives his take on the leverage relievers, as well as Logan Henderson (hurt), Brandon Sproat (struggling) and Quinn Priester (rehabbing). Plus: Luis Rengifo still appears to be a guy the Brewers could replace, so why the patience? Also: The slight disappointment with Jackson Chourio's learning curve and the confounding Garrett Mitchell.

In Three Up Three Down (40:00), they discuss the electric UW-Milwaukee tournament run, a strange pattern with ABS challenges, elite baserunning in a win over Houston and David Hamilton's defense. In Remembrew When (55:45), JR looks at the king of the vultures in Brewers single-season relief wins. With Jack leading the way, Take of the Week (1:00:15) looks at the crowded Cy Young race and Misiorowski's place therein.

Then, JR sits down with pitcher Coleman Crow (1:04:00), now three starts into his Brewers career, all victories. They discuss his unique name, his unique repertoire and the powerhouse of Nashville Sounds baseball.

Brewers go 4-2 against the teams likeliest to stand in the way in October, plus a conversation with Vinny Rottino (05.25.2026) May 25, 2026

Show notes

A sweep in Wrigley Field followed by a series-opening win against the Dodgers continued a torrid stretch for the Brewers, although back-to-back losses to close the week killed the mojo a bit. It sure feels like the Brewers will see these teams in the race for the division and NL pennant; did we learn anything about those potential clashes? Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe discuss the team's pitching excellence, some enigmatic work from Brandon Sproat and Robert Gasser, the weak corridor of the lineup and the Class AAA options that remain available, and is there even a remote chance the team would entertain a trade for Tarik Skubal ... or Freddy Peralta?

In Three Up Three Down (38:00), they discuss a PCA inside-the-park adventure, the unique way the Brewers have used relievers, Tarps Off and the latest test passed by Jacob Misiorowski. In Remembrew When (57:00), JR looks back at a far more dubious sweep of the Cubs. And Curt Blanche (1:00:00) tackles a fashion motif that happens to be in JR's wheelhouse.

Then, JR sits down with Brewers broadcaster Vinny Rottino (1:05:30), discussing his Racine roots, his fascinating playing career (including a thrilling late-season win), how he got started in broadcasting and where he hopes to go from here.

Pitchers acing every test for Brewers, but is now the time for an infield change? Plus, a conversation with Brian Fitzpatrick (05.18.2026) May 18, 2026

Show notes

Pitching won the week for the Milwaukee Brewers, who head to Chicago just 1 1/2 games out first place and chasing the team they're about to meet, the Cubs. Though the two losses of the week came in frustrating fashion, Milwaukee won back-to-back series against the Padres and Twins. Journal Sentinel Brewers writer Todd Rosiak and host JR Radcliffe look at Jacob Misiorowski's next-level dominance, Christian Yelich returning (then disappearing, then returning again), bullpen issues, Quinn Priester, Robert Gasser and the left side of the infield, where a couple prospects are knocking down the door while current Brewers continue to struggle.

In Three Up Three Down (29:30), they discuss a meeting with a Wisconsinite pitcher, a Bob Uecker mural and lots of craziness down in Nashville. In Remembrew When (44:10), JR goes back to 2012 to examine a similar gut-punching loss to Wednesday's setback against San Diego, and in Todd's Take of the Week (49:15), a look ahead to the division leader on the schedule.

Then, JR chats with relief pitcher Brian Fitzpatrick (53:00), who may have gotten sent down late in the week, but has emerged as a pleasant surprise as a player who wasn't even in big-league camp during spring training. He's the perfect case study of a player who dealt with college injuries became a diamond in the rough, then developed into a quality big-league option.

Magical Brewers weekend ends with Brice Turang's Mother's Day walk off. Plus: Chats with top prospect Andrew Fischer and Jake Woodford (05.11.2026) May 11, 2026

Show notes

Brice Turang's Mother's Day walk-off homer provided a great capper to the weekend and added a dash of nostalgia to a Yankees sweep. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe also discuss the latest superstar performance from Jacob Misiorowski, a wild defensive decision by the Yankees and the triumphant return of Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn to the lineup. What about the other injury guys like Brandon Woodruff, Christian Yelich and Quinn Priester? Is the team any closer to making a change at shortstop? With Ángel Zerpa facing Tommy John surgery, will the Brewers ever send another player to the World Baseball Classic?

In Three Up Three Down (38:30), they discuss CC Sabathia on the wall of honor, an unwelcome flashback, some ABS weirdness and the king of vulture wins, Aaron Ashby. In Remembrew When (58:00), there's no choice but to discuss Bill Hall on Mother's Day, and in Curt Blanche (1:01:00), Curt believes there's a far greater Mother's Day homer that we never discuss.

Then, JR is joined by Brewers reliever Jake Woodford (1:07:00), whose Major League debut was delayed in the strangest of ways, when he was holed up with the St. Louis Cardinals in Milwaukee's Pfister Hotel following a COVID-19 outbreak among the team. Then, he's joined by prospect Andrew Fischer (1:13:00), who hit two home runs on Sunday and continues to pound the ball for Single-A Wisconsin.

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