Milwaukee Brewers Microbrew

The Milwaukee Brewers are among the teams that have had a lot of success building talent through its international pipeline, including players like Jackson Chourio and Jesús Made. But the process has its flaws, including predatory lenders who look to take advantage of families promised bonuses years before they're able to officially sign. Gus Garcia-Roberts (9:10), an investigative reporter from ProPublica, traveled to the Dominican Republic to get a sense of what young star ballplayers and their families face in that fraught period between being identified as a talent and signing day. He joined host JR Radcliffe to discuss what he saw, the forces at work and what Major League Baseball could do about it. Then, JR chats with Brewers minor-league guru Spencer Michaelis of Backfield Brew and Brewer Fanatic (30:45) to review the 2026 Brewers minor-league season, which just wrapped with Biloxi's loss in the Southern League Championship Series. They discuss the top players in the system, including those with massive upside even if the numbers don't suggest it, the remarkable offensive season of Andrew Fischer, Made's immediate future and more.

The Milwaukee Brewers have more wins than any team before them in franchise history, closing in on a first-round playoff bye and already owners of the National League Central. Could this really be the one? Milwaukee won five of six in Pittsburgh and Baltimore to reach 98 wins, and now comes the calibration for the postseason ahead. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe try to put the team in some context, then discuss the one big problem they're facing: the lack of a true No. 3 starter after Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson. Is it still Dustin May? Has Robert Gasser done enough to merit that spot? What do we make of Kyle Harrison? Plus: A wobbly week for Trevor Megill despite general strong work from the bullpen.In Three Up Three Down (35:00), they discuss a fun moment on the TV broadcast, a surprising pitcher and a team to maybe be concerned about in the years ahead? In Remembrew When (51:30), JR looks back on another recent division-clinching moment. And in Curt Blanche (55:00), we have to ask ... is this The Team that we'll remember forever?Then, JR sits down with Brewers jack-of-all-trades Daniel De Mondesert (1:05:00), whose most forward-facing role is serving as team interpreter. He talks about his Arkansas upbringing (Spanish wasn't his first language exactly!), his college baseball background and the roles he's played with the team.

The Milwaukee Brewers have clinched the National League Central with a win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday and a loss by the Cubs the same night. While that was cool, it marks the fourth straight division crown and has started to become old hat for Brewers fans. But we remember not so long ago when a division title was an impossibility. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe take the opportunity to reminisce in the strangest way possible, discussing the 2016 Milwaukee Brewers of 10 years ago. It's the last time the Brewers were anything less than a playoff contender, a snapshot in time that allows us to go back before the franchise became one of baseball's best and Remember Some Guys.Plus, hear an interview with Tyler Thornburg, a member of the 2016 team who's now pitching coach for the Nashville Sounds. Can you answer our random trivia questions sprinkled throughout the episode? Before Curt does? Because Curt remembers everything about 2016.

The Milwaukee Brewers offense is on a tear, surging through a huge week of baseball that featured a sweep of the Cubs and two out of three against the Reds. The Brewers are officially playoff bound and about to secure the division, too. But as good as the offensive party has been, questions are everywhere on the pitching staff. Brewers reporter Curt Hogg and host JR Radcliffe take a look at what's been good on offense (Joey Ortiz! Jackson Chourio! Brice Turang!) but also the worries on a struggling rotation (Kyle Harrison, Shane Drohan) and even some bullpen vulnerabilities. Luis Lara's glove also had a remarkable week.In Three Up, Three Down (28:45), the guys discuss Brandon Sproat's short-lived return, Garrett Mitchell's superb weekend and a 'God Bless America' singer for the ages. In Remembrew When (48:00), JR discusses another memorable down-to-the-last-out game-saving home run from recent history. And in Curt Blanche (53:30), it's a typical sports-writer complaint (but it's true).Then, JR is joined by Brewers catcher Bo Naylor, one of the newest members of the team (57:50). They discuss Canadian baseball, last year's playoffs, chess and more.

The Milwaukee Brewers stole probably their signature victory of the 2026 season, a walk-off winner against the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 8 that marked the second straight thriller against their arch rival. Host JR Radcliffe discusses that (oops, did he attend the game and leave early?) and then the documenting of memories like it with Brewers photographer Scott Paulus. His photos are all over the stadium and all over Milwaukee. What's he looking for when he covers a game? How did sports photography become his passion? What's it like covering a clinching celebration (which should be happening within the week for the Brewers)? JR also sits down with his colleague, Journal Sentinel photographer Jovanny Hernandez, to talk more about making pictures into a profession and how sports presents unique challenges ... and not just because the action is moving quickly.