Milwaukee Brewers split a doubleheader with the New York Mets on July 2. Freddy Peralta dueled in Game 1, but an injury update overshadowed the on-field action.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a marathon, not a sprint, at Citi Field on Wednesday, as the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets traded blows in a doubleheader forced by Tuesday's rainout. After 18 innings of baseball between two playoff hopefuls, the result was a split decision. The day encapsulated the Brewers' season so far: a resilient fight that keeps them squarely in the postseason hunt, but not without its share of challenges.
Despite a recent skid, the Brewers entered the day with a 67.3% chance to make the postseason, a testament to their strong first half.
Following Tuesday's washout, the Brewers (47-37) and Mets (48-37) crammed two games into one afternoon. Milwaukee sent ace Freddy Peralta (8-4, 2.90 ERA) to the mound in Game 1 to face New York's Clay Holmes, setting the stage for a classic pitcher's duel. With the team looking to snap a losing streak and the Mets' bats recently going quiet, every run was critical. While the final box scores weren't available at press time, the split result means the Brewers held their ground in a tough road environment, a crucial outcome as they navigate a tight NL Central race.
The on-field action was unfortunately overshadowed by grim news from the training room. Center fielder Garrett Mitchell, who was working his way back on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville, has re-injured his left shoulder and is now facing the likelihood of another surgery. It's a devastating setback for the 2020 first-round pick, whose career has been plagued by injuries. The diagnosis from team physician Dr. William Raasch puts Mitchell's return this season in serious jeopardy and raises questions about the team's outfield depth moving forward.
While one promising player faces a long road back, others are making waves in the farm system. Top prospect Jesús Made (No. 55 in all of baseball) is turning heads with his rapid development, getting valuable reps with the big-league club in spring and benefiting from the mentorship of last year's breakout star, Jackson Chourio. The organization is carefully balancing his aggressive promotion with smart development. He's not alone, as catcher Jeferson Quero continues his impressive rise and hard-throwing righty Jacob Misiorowski remains a top talent, giving fans plenty to be excited about for the years to come.
A doubleheader split on the road is never a bad outcome, but the news about Garrett Mitchell casts a shadow over the day. Still, the Brewers remain firmly in the playoff picture, and the strength of their farm system provides both hope and a potential safety net. As the calendar flips to July, every game, every pitch, and every at-bat matters more. The Crew now has to shake off the mixed results and focus on winning the series, because in the tight NL Central, there's no room for error.
