The Brewers benefits the most from a shortened season

The Brewers benefit the most from a shortened MLB season.

After finally facing a breakthrough with negotiations for a 2020 MLB season, it’s become clear that such a campaign will be significantly shorter than the originally pre-planned 100 games. The owners are willing to face a financial hit in terms of prorated salaries, but only if such a figure makes sense and softens the blow.

Should the players accept the owners’ offer — or any revised version of it, for that matter — fans should adjust to the idea of a 50-60 game slate. This is not only far fewer contests than any season in recent memory but would significantly benefit one team more than most, specifically one which will be forced to rely upon a strong bullpen due to their rotations of misfits.

How do the Milwaukee Brewers benefit from a shorter MLB season?

The Brewers did little to help themselves via the starting rotation this offseason, despite the monster extension signed by Christian Yelich to tie him to Milwaukee through the 2029 season. Yet, the best of Milwaukee’s arms reside in their bullpen, thanks to relief ace Josh Hader.

Even with the emergence of Brandon Woodruff last season, it’s fair to question how much rotational depth the Brew Crew really has behind the righty. Josh Lindblom and Eric Lauer are unlikely to cut it deep in games, but thankfully that’s not a major concern for Craig Counsell’s group.

Having Hader and Corey Knebel, who could close for the majority of MLB teams, on the back end makes for plenty of promise in the final frames. The issue for Milwaukee will be getting to the seventh inning-on with a lead.

Yet, with fewer games to play, the Brewers can rely more heavily on Hader, Knebel, and any emerging middle relief options more often. With a lineup that’s expected to have no issue putting up runs thanks to Yelich, Keston Hiura, and company, Milwaukee can treat the final stretch of a shortened regular season like the playoffs.