UNCERTAINTY: Are the Milwaukee Brewers at RISK if Brandon Woodruff Can’t Pitch Like an ACE?

Brandon Woodruff’s health looms as the defining question for the Milwaukee Brewers’ 2026 season.

Can Milwaukee’s ace return to top form after shoulder surgery, or will the Brewers’ rotation be forced to lean on promising arms like Jacob Misiorowski? Chuck Freimund breaks down the critical importance of starting pitching, why Woodruff’s workload and durability are under the microscope, and what Freddy Peralta’s departure means for the staff hierarchy and pennant hopes.

Offseason quietude sparks debate—should Brewers fans expect more conservative winters from the front office, or will potential labor changes inject action? Key storylines include Henry Aaron’s impact on Milwaukee, the allure of spring training in Arizona, and how NL Central rivals like the Reds and Cubs are retooling.

Get sharp insight into the Brewers’ defensive strengths, player development, and spring buzz, all with Chuck Freimund’s signature perspective.

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13 comments

  1. Brewer starting pitching needs to go 6 or 7 otherwise its to much stress on the pen. Hitters need to stay agressive on the base paths and take there walks. If the crew can do that. We will compete

  2. I don't think he' s an ace, nor needs to be. The Brewers have a good pen and a pretty deep rotation. Their biggest fault is that they are young. I can easily see a 6 man rotation with long relief attached to some of the starters. I think Woody had his surgery, took the year off like he needed, then pretty much pitched his target innings last year. I don't see why he couldn't go 125-150 and get some really solid innings out of him.

  5. I think they are taking a big risk with Woodruff. In terms of had Woodruff not taken the Brewers’ offer, I think they would have kept Freddy. I wish they had kept him irregardless of what Woodruff would do.

  12. Here are my top 5 concerns: (1) We see regression from guys like Frelich, Turang, Chourio and Durbin. We need them to maintain or improve. That might be a very tall ask. (2) Can Woodruff stay healthy and produce like an ace? (3) Can we dramatically improve SS offensive production? (4) Is Vaughn the answer or a two month anomaly? (5) Is Miz as good as we think… the guy who produced a 4.36 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP or the guy we saw in the playoffs? And (6), do I keep my season ticket games against the Cubs… or sell them to desperate Chicago fans for 5-times their value?

  13. You should assume that Woodruff will go on the IL at some point. 150 innings and 25-30 starts seems like wishful thinking. The question for me is whether he'll be around for the postseason, if the team reaches it.

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