The Milwaukee Brewers are gearing up for an exciting weekend series against the Oakland Athletics at American Family Field, starting Friday, April 18, 2025. The Brewers, currently holding a record of 10-9, are looking to build on their recent success after sweeping the Chicago White Sox. Meanwhile, the Athletics, known for their storied franchise history, come into this matchup with a record of 9-10, having recently swept the White Sox as well.
As the Brewers prepare for this three-game series, they are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of injuries. After a tough start to the season plagued by pitching injuries, the team is hopeful for the returns of several key players. Brandon Woodruff is targeting a comeback in May, and fellow pitchers Nestor Cortes and Aaron Ashby are also expected to return next month. However, Aaron Civale has suffered a setback, and his timeline for recovery remains uncertain. In addition to the pitching woes, the Brewers are also waiting for the return of outfielder Blake Perkins and infielder Tyler Black, both of whom are expected back by late May.
On the offensive side, the Brewers are led by young star Jackson Chourio, who is hitting .262 with five home runs and 17 RBIs this season. Other key contributors include Brice Turang and Sal Frelick, both of whom are batting over .300. The team’s overall batting average stands at .235, with a .690 OPS that ranks 18th in Major League Baseball. The Brewers have managed to hit 21 home runs and score 92 runs over 19 games, but they will need to step up their offensive production against a competitive Athletics team.
The Athletics are also bringing some firepower to this series, led by Tyler Soderstrom, who is currently the league leader in home runs with nine. Soderstrom is hitting .315 with 18 RBIs and 17 runs scored. Other notable players include Brent Rooker and Shea Langeliers, who have contributed significantly to the team's offensive efforts. As a collective unit, the A’s are hitting .252 with a .749 OPS, ranking seventh in the league, and have scored 88 runs while hitting 27 home runs through their first 19 games.
On the pitching front, the Brewers will send Freddy Peralta to the mound on Friday night. Peralta has been impressive this season with a 2.31 ERA and a 28/8 strikeout-to-walk ratio over four starts. He is looking to bounce back after what was considered his worst start of the season against the Diamondbacks, where he allowed two runs over 5 1/3 innings. Peralta has faced the A’s twice in his career, holding a 6.75 ERA against them, but he is expected to deliver a strong performance this time around.
Countering Peralta will be rookie right-hander J.T. Ginn for the Athletics. Ginn has had a promising start to his season, having impressed in his first outing against the New York Mets, where he allowed just one run over 5 1/3 innings. With only 39 1/3 innings of MLB experience, Ginn is looking to solidify his spot in the rotation and prove himself against a tough Brewers lineup.
Saturday’s matchup will feature Chad Patrick for the Brewers, who has been a pleasant surprise this season with a 1.76 ERA over three starts. Patrick has allowed only one run in 14 1/3 innings, showcasing his potential as a reliable starter. He will face off against veteran Luis Severino, who has struggled to find his form this year with a 4.01 ERA and an 0-3 record. Severino, now on his third team in as many years, will be looking to turn his season around after a rocky start.
On Sunday, the Brewers have yet to announce their starting pitcher, but it could either be Tyler Alexander or Logan Henderson, who is making his MLB debut. Alexander had a rough outing against the Tigers, while Henderson has shown promise in the minors. The A’s will counter with Jeffrey Springs, who has a 4.50 ERA but holds a 3-1 record this season.
As the series unfolds, both teams will be looking to capitalize on their strengths while navigating their respective challenges. The Brewers aim to improve their offensive consistency and bolster their pitching staff, while the Athletics will look to maintain their momentum and continue their strong start to the season.
Fans can catch all the action this weekend through various platforms including FanDuel Sports Wisconsin and MLB.TV, with radio broadcasts available on the Brewers Radio Network. The excitement is palpable as both teams gear up for what promises to be a thrilling series.
With the Brewers looking to solidify their standing and the Athletics eager to prove their competitiveness, this weekend series is set to be a pivotal moment in the early season for both clubs. Will the Brewers continue their winning ways, or can the Athletics pull off an upset? Only time will tell as the first pitch approaches.
