Brewers have something special in reliever Williams

Devin Williams, Brewers reliever (⬆️ UP)

Milwaukee might have found its next great late-inning reliever. A second-round pick by the Brewers in 2013, it took a while for the right-handed Williams, who turns 26 in September, to emerge, in part due to having Tommy John surgery. In two innings last week he faced six batters and got them all out, five by strikeout. Since Aug. 9, Williams has appeared in seven games and allowed one hit and two walks with 17 strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. Overall this season he has an 0.77 ERA, 0.771 WHIP and an incredible 19.3 K/9 over 11 2/3 innings. Among pitchers with 10+ innings this season, only the Mets’ Edwin Diaz (20.25 K/9 in 10 2/3 IP) has a better strikeout rate in the majors. Name me a better 1-2 combo than Williams and left-hander Josh Hader (9 1/3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.535 WHIP, 12.5 K/9)? We’ll wait.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks forward (⬆️ UP)

I hope people appreciate what they are seeing on the court. Antetokounmpo had at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in each of the Bucks’ first four playoff games against Orlando. He is the first player in NBA history to do that in the first four games of a postseason. Adding to that, Giannis was named Defensive Player of the Year on Tuesday night – just the fifth player to win that award and MVP in a career. Only Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon won DPOY and MVP in the same season. Room for one more, gentlemen?

Ben Gamel, Brewers outfielder (⬆️ UP)

Gamel has had his struggles since taking over after Lorenzo Cain opted out but perhaps there are signs of him turning the corner. He went 5-for-12 (.417) with a double and homer last week and also was part of maybe the play of the year: a 9-2 force out.

A FORCE OUT AT HOME FROM RIGHT FIELD?!?!?

??? pic.twitter.com/L5Iw9UaaAH

— FOX Sports Wisconsin (@fswisconsin) August 26, 2020

Omar Narvaez, Brewers catcher (⬆️ UP)

Speaking of potentially turning the corner … Narvaez entered the week with just one extra-base hit on the season and had his batting average as low as .122 on Aug. 21. He had two doubles and a home run over the next two games, so maybe there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. (He also was the catcher on the above play, so that’s a bonus.)

Brewers third base (⬇️ DOWN)

Milwaukee’s offense has struggled all year and no position more than third base. Brock Holt, who appeared in 13 games at third, was designated for assignment with just three hits in 30 at-bats. This past week Eric Sogard, who has played the most games at the position, 16, was 1-for-12, and is now hitting .181/.298/.208. Luis Urias got in a couple of games at third this past week and he went 2-for-17 overall. Maybe it’s time to give Jedd Gyorko a shot (again)?

Cole Van Lanen, Badgers offensive lineman (⬆️ UP and ⬇️ DOWN)

Van Lanen has been getting a lot of preseason recognition, the latest a second team spot on the AP All-American team. Of course, Wisconsin won’t be playing football this fall, so, sigh.