The Milwaukee Brewers have overcome a challenging start to their season by winning 24 of their last 35 games, signaling a significant turnaround. Christian Yelich’s batting resurgence has been a key factor in the Brewers’ recent success as they prepare to host the Colorado Rockies in a three-game series opener on Friday.
Jose Quintana to Start as Brewers Face Rockies
Jose Quintana, holding a 5-2 record with a 2.98 ERA, is set to take the mound for Milwaukee. Quintana, who recently returned from a left shoulder impingement that sidelined him for three weeks, recorded six shutout innings in his last start against Minnesota, marking his first win since late April. Despite striking out only one batter in that game, Quintana remains confident in his approach to pitching.
For me, part of my game is changing speeds, trying to read swings,
he said.
But the approach is always the same — try to attack the zone.
—Jose Quintana, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher
Quintana has a mixed history against the Rockies, posting a 3-4 record with a 5.40 ERA in nine starts, but he aims to continue leading the Brewers’ pitching staff during this pivotal stretch.
Christian Yelich’s Batting Revival Sparks Brewers
Christian Yelich has driven the Brewers’ offensive upswing; after struggling early with a .184 batting average by late May, he raised his average 80 points, now hitting .264 overall. Yelich has been especially impressive in June with a .356 average and has accumulated 15 home runs and 57 RBIs this season. His standout performance on June 20 included eight RBIs during a game against Minnesota.
Brewers’ Strong Pitching Aids in Recent Victories
The Brewers’ streak includes a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, marking their sixth win in seven games. Jacob Misiorowski contributed significantly by pitching five shutout innings in just his third major league start, overcoming Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. This strong pitching effort supports the Brewers’ continued push for a successful season turnaround.
Rockies Activate Kyle Freeland Amid Struggles
The Colorado Rockies are hoping to snap their three-game losing streak with the return of left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland, who will come off the 15-day injured list due to back stiffness. Freeland, who had established a level of consistency before the injury, owns a 5-3 record with a 2.65 ERA in nine career starts against Milwaukee. He will be crucial in Colorado’s attempt to halt their decline during this series.
The Rockies have struggled overall, holding an 18-63 record at the season‘s midpoint and on pace to set a new modern-era record for losses. Despite their poor results, they’ve performed slightly better on the road (10-31) than at home (8-32).
Rockies’ Interim Manager Warren Schaeffer Sees Progress
Following a managerial change on May 11, with Warren Schaeffer replacing Bud Black, the Rockies have managed an 11-30 record under Schaeffer’s leadership. Despite the difficulties, Schaeffer remains optimistic about the team’s development.
I feel progress is being made on a consistent basis,
Schaeffer said after a recent loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
We just got done playing the world champs, and we gave them a fight. We didn’t get any wins out of it but we’re playing better baseball. I think everyone in that (clubhouse) knows it and feels it, just a matter of keep pushing forward. That’s all.
—Warren Schaeffer, Colorado Rockies interim manager
Looking Ahead: Impact of Brewers’ Surge and Rockies’ Struggles
The Brewers, energized by Christian Yelich’s resurgence and steady pitching led by Jose Quintana, have positioned themselves as formidable contenders as the season progresses. Meanwhile, the Rockies face the challenge of overcoming a historic losing pace, relying on Freeland’s return and Schaeffer’s steady management to encourage incremental improvement. This series will be a critical moment for both teams to shape their paths moving forward.