The defending NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers sit in last place in the suddenly stout division.
But at 13-10, the Brewers are doing just fine, only two games behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds. In fact, they recovered nicely from a six-game losing streak to win five of their past seven games.
Starting with the Thursday, April 23, game against the Detroit Tigers, though, Milwaukee faces a challenge only one other team in MLB history encountered.
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The Brewers are set to face reigning Cy Young Award-winning pitchers in consecutive games.
“Lucky us,” Milwaukee infielder David Hamilton said, per MLB.com.
Detroit’s Tarik Skubal, who won the past two AL Cy Young Awards, goes against Milwaukee on Thursday afternoon. Then, in Friday’s series opener in Milwaukee, the Pittsburgh Pirates will pitch the NL Cy Young winner in Paul Skenes.
Brewers beat writer Adam McCalvy made it official on Thursday morning when the Pirates announced their probable starters for the weekend series.
The 2025 Boston Red Sox are the only other team to face Cy Young Award winners in consecutive games. Boston had a day off between squaring off against Skubal and Atlanta’s Chris Sale. The Red Sox lost both contests, though they scored five runs against Skubal.
Unfortunately, Milwaukee enters its matchups well short of full strength. Leading hitters Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio and Andrew Vaughn are on the injured list.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy took a philosophical approach.
“What a great challenge,” he said. “The game is so hard, to produce, score runs and all of that. It’s a hard game. So getting this opportunity, think of the upside for your team. Especially with our position players out.”
Skubal is 3-2 with a 2.08 ERA in five starts for Detroit. He has struck out 33 batters in 30 1/3 innings. Skenes recovered from a dreadful Opening Day outing. He is 3-1 with a 3.27 ERA in five starts, striking out 23 batters in 22 innings.
Brandon Sproat (0-1, 6.88 ERA) and Brandon Woodruff (2-0, 3.42 ERA) get the starts for Milwaukee on Thursday and Friday, respectively.