While the Milwaukee Brewers’ pitching has been solid recently, it’s also clear that the offense has struggled in important moments, holding the Crew back from sitting atop the National League Central. These offensive struggles are the result of a few weaknesses occurring at the same time.
What’s Behind the Brewers’ Offensive Struggles?
Lack of Power and Quality Contact
The Brewers have been near the bottom of the league in home runs and slugging percentage. They are ranking sixth worst in homers and third worst in slugging (.349) as of May. Their isolated power (ISO) is also among the lowest in the league. This indicates a lack of extra-base hits and impactful swings. The team’s average exit velocity is second from the bottom in MLB. Their expected weighted on-base average on contact (xwOBACON) is also the lowest in the league. As a result, even when they put the ball in play, it’s rarely with authority.
The team’s hitters have also struggled to score runs consistently in June. The team is often limited to only one or two scoring innings per game. In one mid-May stretch, they were shut out four times in a five-game span, and they have surpassed five runs in only 12 of their 46 games so far this season. This lack of offensive output has made it difficult for the team to secure wins, especially in close contests.
Chris Sale and the Braves snapped their seven-game losing streak at the Brewers’ expense. The Brewers have lost three of the first four games of this homestand while scoring one run with one extra-base hit over the three losses.
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) June 10, 2025
Inability to Mount Comebacks
In stark contrast to the 2024 season, the Brewers have been unable to rally when falling behind. As of May, the team is shockingly 0-13 when their opponents scored first. This stat highlights a significant drop in their ability to come from behind and win games. This inability to respond offensively when trailing has been a major factor in their position in the NL Central standings.
Decline in Batting Average on Balls in Play (BABIP)
Milwaukee’s BABIP has plummeted from .305 in 2024 (fourth-highest in MLB) to just .218 in 2025, the lowest in baseball. This sharp drop suggests not only bad luck but also a decline in the quality of contact and an increase in ground balls, which limits the effectiveness of their team speed.
Underperforming Players
Several important lineup spots have been black holes offensively. Joey Ortiz, tasked with replacing Willy Adames at shortstop, has struggled mightily, posting a wRC+ of just 29 and the lowest OPS among qualified hitters. Third base has been even worse, with a 27 wRC+ and .451 OPS, which are the worst marks in MLB for the position. Christian Yelich and William Contreras, expected to anchor the heart of the lineup, have both stalled offensively, further hampering run production.
Injuries and Absences
The absence of Christian Yelich, their veteran outfielder and offensive leader, has further hampered the lineup. Yelich missed consecutive starts due to injury in June, and his absence has been described as a “cloud” over the team’s playoff aspirations. His dynamic presence, both as a hitter and a leader, is sorely missed, impacting both morale and performance.
Timely Hitting and RISP Woes
The Brewers excelled in clutch situations last year, but that has not carried over into 2025. Their wRC+ with runners on base has dropped from 119, which was third in MLB, in 2024 to 95 this year, 20th in MLB. Their average with runners in scoring position has also declined sharply. For much of the early season, the bottom of the order was especially unproductive, hitting just .189 with a 52 wRC+ through mid-May. This made it difficult to sustain rallies or flip the lineup effectively.
Loss of Key Contributors and In-House Replacements Not Producing
The departure of Willy Adames, who led the team with 32 home runs last year, left a power and leadership void that has not been filled. The Brewers opted to fill key positions like third base and shortstop internally rather than through external acquisitions. Those bets have not paid off, with both positions among the least productive in MLB. The coaching staff has tried to address the issues by bringing in additional hitting coaches from Triple-A. Yet the improvements have been slow to materialize.
There have been some recent signs of life, though, with the bottom of the order improving and the team showing better production with runners in scoring position in the most recent stretch. However, these gains have not yet offset the season-long struggles enough to ensure that the Brew Crew is reaching its full potential to sit atop the NL Central.
Looking Ahead for the Brewers Offense
Looking ahead, the Brewers’ offense faces both challenges and opportunities for improvement. The most critical factor will be whether their established stars, particularly Christian Yelich and William Contreras, can maintain recent hot streaks and continue to elevate the team’s run production. Yelich’s resurgence has been a driving force, with his improved timing and power transforming the lineup’s effectiveness. At the same time, the bottom of the order has shown signs of life, with players like Caleb Durbin stepping up and helping the team capitalize on opportunities with runners in scoring position, an area that had been a weakness earlier in the season. However, underlying issues remain that could hamper a sustained offensive turnaround.
The Brewers’ high ground ball rate, especially among key veterans, continues to limit their ability to generate extra-base hits and consistent rallies. This makes the offense prone to streakiness. Young talents like Jackson Chourio are still adjusting to major-league pitching. High chase rates outside the strike zone curb their potential impact. The offense’s trajectory in June will likely hinge on whether these hitters can make necessary adjustments, elevate the ball more consistently, and maintain recent gains in timely hitting. If they can, the Brewers’ offense could stabilize and support their push in the NL Central.
Photo Credit: © Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
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