The Milwaukee Brewers are the surprising leaders of the NL Central, and they’ve reached this point with minimal contributions from their star slugger.
Ryan Braun, who missed almost all of June with calf problems, is hitting .259 with only 23 RBIs. With the Cubs and Cardinals still looming 5 games behind, Milwaukee’s postseason hopes could depend on whether the 33-year-old Braun can stay on the field and produce.
Braun’s power is still there. He has 10 home runs in only 40 games, and he ranks among the top hitters in baseball in exit velocity, according to MLB’s Statcast.