The Brewers X-Factors: Aaron Civale and Frankie Montas

Due to all the injuries in the starting rotation, the Milwaukee Brewers traded for Aaron Civale and Frankie Montas. If Milwaukee wants to have success going forward, the Brewers need them to recapture their previous glory. They are going to have to be at their best when the Brewers get into the postseason. The team will be relying on them to finally stabilize the starting rotation. I believe Civale and Montas will be the Milwaukee Brewers’ x-factors.

The Brewers Have Had No Starting Rotation Continuity

This season, a team-record 17 different pitchers including openers have made a start for the Brewers. Milwaukee’s starting rotation suffered many injuries including losing Robert Gasser and Wade Miley for the season. They also found out that Brandon Woodruff wouldn’t be able to pitch at all this season. Brewers’ starters only have lasted a National League-worst 4.8 innings per start. This has resulted in Milwaukee having to rely heavily on their bullpen. Brewer relievers have combined to pitch a total of 472 innings this season. The only team that has used their bullpen for more innings is the San Francisco Giants.

Aaron Civale

Due to all the injuries, the Brewers decided to make a trade at the beginning of July for Tampa Bay Rays starter Aaron Civale. After leaving Cleveland, Civale had a very rough tenure with the Rays. In nearly two seasons in Tampa, the 29-year-old had an ERA of 5.17 and gave up 23 home runs. Since coming to Milwaukee, Civale has had mixed results. In six starts with the Brewers, he has an ERA of 5.03, however, his earned run average stat can be misleading. Civale has given up three earned runs or less in four of his six starts with Milwaukee. He’s also done a great job at eating innings for the Brewers, going at least five innings in four of his starts as well. In his last start, Civale went 6.1 innings giving up only two runs, walking two batters, and striking out five. Besides developing consistency, Civale needs to figure out a way to limit the long ball. He’s given up seven home runs since coming to the Brewers.

Frankie Montas

At the trade deadline, it was a foregone conclusion that the Brewers were going to trade for a starting pitcher. After failing to acquire Erick Fedde from the White Sox, they settled for acquiring Reds starter Frankie Montas. Unlike Civale, Montas has gotten off to a decent start with the Brewers. In his first two starts, Montas has 12 strikeouts to just four walks. He’s also only given up three runs in each of those starts. However, like Civale, Montas has had issues with keeping the ball in the park. The 31-year-old has allowed a home run in each of his two starts.

The Brewers Success May Largely Hinge on Civale and Montas

Due to injuries and underperformance, Milwaukee has had no rotation continuity. It has led to them relying heavily on their bullpen. To have success, a team needs to have a solid pitching staff. Great pitching makes up for any deficiencies a team might have on offense. Frankie Montas and Aaron Civale are going to be the Brewers’ x-factors going forward. Milwaukee will be depending on both veterans to stabilize the rotation for the stretch run. It’s a good thing that both starters have postseason pitching experience as well. While starters Freddy Peralta, Colin Rea, and Tobias Myers have been dependable this season, Milwaukee’s success may largely hinge on Aaron Civale and Frankie Montas.

For more on baseball, check out Belly Up Sports and follow Eric on Twitter/X. Featured images: Getty Images