MILWAUKEE — After four days of relaxing during the All-Star break, the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers return to action Friday night, looking to build on a 5 1/2-game lead over the Chicago Cubs when they take on the Philadelphia Phillies at Miller Park.
Milwaukee’s first-half success has been one of the more surprising storylines of the season and while manager Craig Counsell admitted that being 5 1/2 games ahead of the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs is somewhat unexpected, how the Brewers got to that point isn’t a shocker.
“Our lead in the division, that surprises me.