Road success helps Brewers take commanding NL Central lead

Updated Jul. 19, 2021 1:01 p.m. ET

Associated Press

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers are returning home with the biggest division lead of any National League team, but it’s their success away from Milwaukee that has helped them build a seven-game cushion.

improved the

Outfielder Christian Yelich credits the Brewers’ road success to their togetherness.

“Everybody really likes each other, picks each other up,” Yelich said. “Just the toughness. Everybody just wants to win, and we’re willing to do whatever it takes to get that done.”

For whatever reason, those traits have stood out more when they’re away from Milwaukee. The Brewers have been even better on the road than at home, where they’re 27-21.

“There’s not an explanation for that,” manager Craig Counsell said. “You just play a good baseball game and that’s what happens. We get into that all the time — day-game records, road records. It’s just playing good baseball.”

The Brewers have been playing great baseball for the last two months as they’ve withstood a multitude of injuries. Their 35-16 record since May 22 is the best in baseball during that stretch.

May 22 was the day shortstop Willy Adames made his Brewers debut, and

But there are plenty of other reasons why Milwaukee leads the NL Central.

The trio of All-Stars heading the rotation — Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta — have helped the Brewers

All-Star closer

17 homers are three off his career high.

That has enabled the Brewers to thrive even without getting the expected contributions from notable position players.

Lorenzo Cain hasn’t played since May 31 due to a hamstring injury, though he’s getting closer to a return. Jackie Bradley Jr. is hitting .173. Kolten Wong has gone on the injured list three times. Yelich, the 2018 NL MVP, isn't hitting for much power — his slugging percentage is .398.

Yelich showed signs of progress by hitting a go-ahead RBI double in the 11th inning Saturday and homering Sunday.

Although the Brewers have reached the postseason each of the last three years, this big lead puts them in an unfamiliar position.

Last year,

“It’s a bad week away from being a really tight race,” Yelich said. “It’s far, far, far from over.”

The surging Brewers aren't the biggest story in Milwaukee, where the Bucks are

“We’re all excited,” said Counsell, who attended the Bucks' Game 4 victory. “We really are. I mean, the clubhouse is excited for them, I know that. We’ve been talking about it a lot and we’re thrilled and happy for the city and happy for all the fans. It’s a really, really cool thing.”

The Brewers would love to keep the excitement going around Milwaukee well into October.

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