WASHINGTON -- Right now, the Brewers are having fun. It’s a common occurrence in Milwaukee's clubhouse, both on the road and at home.
But to have fun like this is important to perhaps no player more than to Brandon Woodruff.
Now nearly two years removed from shoulder surgery and making his fifth start of the season since being activated off the injured list on July 6, Woodruff delivered his fourth quality start while holding the Nats to just one hit over six innings in the Brewers’ 8-2 win on Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park.
“I’m just, I’m having so much fun right now,” Woodruff said. “We’re playing great baseball. I’m happy to be a part of it. It’s been a really long time for me. So each and every time I get out there, I just try to win the game, win the day and move on from there.”
Milwaukee is now 17-4 since Woodruff’s return. Of course, Woodruff is only pitching every five days or so, with a 3-0 record thus far, and the Brewers were doing well when he returned (50-40, four games back of the Cubs in the National League Central). But it’s been lights-out since his return.
“It’s been huge for us ever since he came back,” Christian Yelich said. “It’s exactly how he left us, really -- it’s just coming out, giving us a great chance to win every time. ...
“I think getting those first couple under his belt, like proving to yourself that you can do it -- he knows what he’s doing. And then after that it’s just back to playing, back to pitching, back to doing what you know, [what] he’s always known.”
It helps that the bats have been emboldened lately. Coming off a season-high 25-hit performance on Friday night, the Crew kept rolling with 15 hits vs. the Nats on Saturday -- Milwaukee’s fourth double-digit-hits game in its past six matchups.
In seven of nine innings on Saturday, the Brewers’ leadoff hitter reached base. That includes a double from Sal Frelick to open the game. Joey Ortiz and Yelich led off the second and third innings, respectively, with extra-base hits (and runs scored) of their own: A double from Ortiz and a first-pitch home run by Yelich.
Many pitchers like to approach each start, no matter how much of a lead there is, as if it’s 0-0. For Woodruff, he appreciates the lead as it enables him to attack the opposition more ferociously.
“It’s one of those things where I have to come out -- and not that I’m going to change a game plan or anything -- but like I’m ready to establish the strike zone,” Woodruff said. “I know they’re an aggressive team, so for me it’s just getting out there and trying to get quick pitching contact, and letting the defense work and getting them back in as soon as possible.
“My goodness, they’re -- we’re firing on all cylinders. ... It’s been fun to be a part of and to watch it for sure.”
Outside of the offense, and all the fun the Brewers are having, there’s also Woodruff’s stuff. It just gets better and better as he gets further into his season. His fastball velocity -- both on his four-seamer and his sinker -- is consistently increasing, while his command is, overall, remaining consistent.
On Saturday, Woodruff’s four-seamer averaged 0.6 mph faster than in his previous start, with a 0.8 mph jump in his sinker. He walked just his fourth batter of the year, and those three prior free bases all came in his start vs. the Marlins last Sunday. And of course, Woodruff had eight strikeouts on Saturday, matching the second most he’s had in a start so far in 2025.
“I’m excited for him,” Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said. “He’s worked so hard and just -- I’m more concerned about the command, and it’s been great that he stays there even when the velo ticks up. You know, the command stays there. The changeup is always there -- he has to have it. The cutter is a good pitch. Threw a couple curveballs today.
“But Woody’s, he’s so focused and committed that, yeah, it’s just a great thing for our team, but a great example for the young pitchers in the room like [Quinn] Priester and stuff like that.”
Woodruff allowed just two runs, coming on his lone walk in the third inning, followed by a two-run homer from Robert Hassell III.
That’s probably the one pitch Woodruff would like back.
“He was so angry, that one pitch to Hassell,” Murphy said. “I think he threw him six fastballs in a row. But Hassell, I think he realizes what a great prospect he is, the kind of fast speed he has and that type of thing. So I think he'd like that one back. Other than that, he was flawless."