Travis Shaw Drives in Four Runs, Surprising Brewers Beat Yankees

The Milwaukee Brewers were supposed to be in rebuilding mode this season, but at the All Star Break, they were 50-41 and leading the National League Central by 5 ½ games. They went into the break winning eight of 10, including taking two of three from the Yankees in an interleague series in New York. On paper, the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs are the best team, but they have not played that way yet this season. If they get it together, the Cubs (43-45 at the break) could still win the division, but unless and until that happens, (or the Cardinals or Pirates start winning more consistently), it’s entirely appropriate to view the Brewers as legitimate contenders for the N.L. Central crown.

One reason for Milwaukee’s success to this point has been the play of third baseman Travis Shaw. The 27 year old Shaw was picked up in the off season along with two minor leaguers in a trade with the Boston Red Sox for right handed pitcher Tyler Thornberg. Thornberg is on the disabled list and hasn’t pitched all season. Shaw is hitting .299 with 19 homers and 65 RBIs for the Brewers. Shaw hit this three run homer and drove in four runs total in Milwaukee’s 5-3 win against the Yankees on July 9th in the final game before the All Star Break:

Young teams on the way sometimes fade in August and September, and while that could happen to the Brewers, it’s safe to say that their rebuilding process is ahead of schedule.