There are only two teams in baseball with at least 60 wins, and they could not be built more differently.
The Los Angeles Dodgers enter play on Saturday at 62-36 with one of the highest payrolls in baseball and an array of All-Stars. Meanwhile, the Brewers are right behind them at 60-37, with a low payroll and a roster built through the draft and reclamation projects. However, just as the race for the top seed in the National League heats up, the Brewers have lost starting right fielder Sal Frelick to a shoulder injury.
Frelick threw a ball in on a double by Otto Lopez in the fourth inning, but the throw was well short and bounced into Brice Turang. Frelick has a great arm so it was a sign that something was wrong. He was pulled from the game in the following inning.
"Sal tried to make a throw in the outfield and he felt it," manager Pat Murphy said after the game. "He's had a little issue earlier this season. We don't want to take any chances... I suspect he won't be able to go anytime soon. That's what it looks like."
Frelick was great last season, but has not been as sharp at the plate this year. He was starting to heat up after putting together a phenomenal month of June. However, he will now spend some time on the shgelp. Luckily for the Brewers, they have plenty of options to replace him. For starters, Luis Lara could see regular starts now. The Brewers called him up before the All-Star break. He is one of their top prospects and has already signed an extension with the team.
The injury could also pave the way for Jake Bauers to see more time in the outfield and for Andrew Vaughn to finally become a regular starter again. Vaughn has actually been one of the Brewers best hitters, but Bauers has been so hot at the plate, the team has had no choice but to have the two share first base.