The Milwaukee Brewers are back at home this weekend, and they're bringing some fresh energy with them. After splitting a rain-shortened series with the Cardinals, the Crew sits at 19-16, tied for third in the NL Central. But all eyes will be on Jackson Chourio, who's set to make his home debut this season in what promises to be an electric atmosphere at American Family Field.
Standing in their way? The New York Yankees—a team that hasn't exactly been friendly to Milwaukee lately. The Bombers come into this series riding high at 26-12, the best record in the American League, after taking two of three from the Rangers. They've won six of seven games in May and look every bit the powerhouse they were expected to be.
If that record isn't intimidating enough, Brewers fans will remember the last time these two teams met. It was Opening Weekend 2025, and the Yankees absolutely crushed Milwaukee, winning 4-2, 20-9, and 12-3 while launching a staggering 15 home runs with those controversial torpedo bats. It was a series that left a mark, and you can bet the Crew hasn't forgotten.
But this is a different Brewers team now. The return of Jackson Chourio and first baseman Andrew Vaughn has given the lineup a much-needed boost. While Garrett Mitchell and Brice Turang both missed time this week with illness, neither issue appears serious. The only regular position player still sidelined is Christian Yelich, who's expected to take live at-bats next week—meaning a return could come within the next few weeks.
On the pitching side, the Brewers are navigating some injuries of their own. The staff is currently without Quinn Priester, Brandon Woodruff, Rob Zastryzny, Jared Koenig, and Angel Zerpa. The good news? Most of them (except Zerpa, who's out for the season and part of 2027 after Tommy John surgery) are targeting returns before the end of May. Koenig might be delayed until early June, and Priester's timeline is unclear after shoulder discomfort during his rehab assignment.
The Yankees, for all their dominance, are also banged up. They'll be without Gerrit Cole (rehabbing from Tommy John, targeting late May or June), Clarke Schmidt (also recovering from Tommy John, out until late 2026), and Giancarlo Stanton (timeline TBD). Carlos Rodón is slated to start Sunday's series finale, so the Brewers will need to be sharp against a rotation that's still formidable even without its aces.
This series is more than just a regular-season matchup—it's a chance for Milwaukee to prove they've grown since that brutal opening weekend. With a healthier lineup, a hungry fanbase, and a point to prove, the Brewers have all the motivation they need to flip the script. Let's see if they can rise to the occasion.