In Phoenix, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich dismissed preseason projections that place his team third in the NL Central. Entering his 14th MLB season after a healthy offseason, Yelich emphasized focusing on performance over predictions. The Brewers aim to extend their division dominance despite roster changes and rival improvements.
Projections for the Milwaukee Brewers vary, with one model estimating a 20.4% chance of securing a fourth consecutive National League Central title and a 82-80 record, while another gives just 12.6% odds and an 81-81 projection. “We just don’t care,” Yelich said. “It’s the same story every year.”
The Brewers have traded ace pitchers for prospects in each of the past three offseasons yet achieved the franchise's longest regular-season success streak, including a club-record and MLB-leading 97 wins last year. To repeat as champions, they face competition from the Chicago Cubs, who signed free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, and the Pittsburgh Pirates, featuring a young rotation led by NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes. FanGraphs and PECOTA both project Milwaukee to finish third, ahead of the Cincinnati Reds and rebuilding St. Louis Cardinals.
Milwaukee's offense returns nearly intact after ranking third in MLB with 806 runs scored and second with a .332 on-base percentage last season. The key addition is third baseman Luis Rengifo, whose free-agent contract was finalized on Monday. The young starting pitching remains a wildcard.
At 34, Yelich enters Spring Training following back surgery last year, having enjoyed a normal offseason. He expects to serve as the primary designated hitter again, as in 128 of 146 starts last season, where he hit .264/.343/.452 with 29 home runs and 103 RBIs—his most homers since 2019 and first 100-RBI year since his 2018 NL MVP season after a trade from Miami.
Manager Pat Murphy praised Yelich's influence: “He’s really in tune with the game... I go to him all the time.” Yelich has three seasons left plus a 2029 mutual option on his 2020 contract and nears Brewers milestones: 26 homers from 200, 36 runs from 700, and 42 RBIs from 600.
Reflecting on last year, Yelich noted a slow start but team momentum midseason, though the postseason fell short. He highlighted the fan rally: “That’s the cool thing about baseball... guys who were around last year can try to create the same kind of magic this year.” “Just because they say you’re going to be bad... go out and play, and we’ll see where we’re at.”
