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Energized Veteran All-Star Tandem Continues To Lead Brewers

The energized veteran All-Star tandem of Christian Yelich and William Contreras continues to lead the first-place Milwaukee Brewers.

With the valuable contributions of the high-powered duo, the Brewers remain on top of the National League Central Division standings with a 52-36 overall record (.591 winning percentage). Yelich and Contreras are each slated to start for the National League in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas on July 16.

It is the eighth time in franchise history, and the first time since 2014, in which the Brewers have had multiple starters in the Midsummer Classic.

Energized Veteran All-Star Duo Leading Brewers

Yelich To Play In Midsummer Classic For Third Time

Yelich, 32, signed a nine-year $215 million contract in 2020 and has returned to the high-caliber outfielder of yesteryear that earned him NL Most Valuable Player honors in 2018, his first year in Milwaukee after being traded. This will be the third All-Star appearance of his 12-year career.

As the team’s highest-paid player and half of the energized veteran All-Star tandem, he has set the tone. Currently, he maintains a rejuvenated, disciplined .329 batting average with 77 hits, 37 RBI, 38 runs scored, nine home runs, and a .921 OPS. It’s been an impressive feat considering he missed 30 games with an early-season lower back strain. Fittingly, the left-handed power-hitting Yelich will be making his third All-Star appearance.

It’s been a history-making year for the Brewers outfielder. He became the 49th player in MLB history to amass 300 doubles, 200 home runs, and 200 stolen bases, joining the elite company of players such as Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Robin Yount, Paul Molitor, Gary Sheffield, Marquis Grissom, Devon White, and Mike Cameron.

Yelich has been a force over the last seven games. Accordingly, he has gone a combined 10-for-28 with six runs scored with a .357 batting average, two homers, three RBI, three stolen bases, and a .714 slugging percentage.

Contreras Becomes Two-Time All-Star

Contreras, 26, has lived up to his reputation as one of the premier catchers in baseball. The former World Series champion has been a warrior this year, playing in 85 games. He has been one of the team’s top offensive leaders and a reliable, strong defensive presence behind the plate. Contreras sports a .298 batting average with a team-high 104 hits, 59 runs scored, a team-best 20 doubles, 10 homers, 51 RBI, and an .805 OPS. He leads all NL catchers in batting average and RBI.

As a result, Contreras will be making the second All-Star appearance (and first start) of his five-year career. During the last seven games, he has gone a combined 11-for-30 with a .367 batting average and .500 slugging percentage.

Energized All-Star Tandem Continues Flourish

Yelich and Contreras have been integral contributors for the Brewers, who are coming off a series split with the Colorado Rockies.

Brewers first-year manager Pat Murphy is quick to point out that the duo’s leadership has been invaluable. “Those are the two pillars,” said Murphy in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal’s Curt Hogg. “Their value to the team goes without saying. It’s incredible.”

With the high-energy duo leading the way for a young, hungry Brewers team, the sky appears to be the limit. It remains to be seen if the team’s statement-making first-half momentum can contribute to a memorable second-half finish.

 

Photo Credit: © Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Hagenau

Jeff Hagenau

Jeff has been a sports writer in southeast Wisconsin for the past 27 years, covering at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. He graduated from Carroll University with a degree in journalism and covers the Milwaukee Brewers for Last Word On Sports.

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