53 Brandon Woodruff SP

Woodruff agreed to a one-year contract with the Brewers on Friday, avoiding arbitration.

Woodruff ranked seventh in the majors in innings (73.2) and ninth in K-BB% (24.9) last season, so he is rightfully being treated like an ace in fantasy drafts. He is certainly the Brewers' ace, and the one starting pitcher on the team who can be reliably counted on to log five-plus innings per outing.

Woodruff gave up three earned runs on five hits and zero walks while striking out nine in 4.2 innings Thursday against the Dodgers.

He did not pitch poorly, but he gave up a few singles in the bottom of the fifth inning and Mookie Betts' bases-clearing double was the finishing blow. Woodruff cemented his status as a frontline starter this season, finishing 10th in the majors with 91 strikeouts while his 3.05 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 73.2 innings were also top-20 marks among qualified pitchers.

Woodruff will start Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Dodgers on Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander delivered eight scoreless innings Saturday against the Cardinals, and he'll remain on schedule and pitch a pivotal Game 2 versus the Dodgers. Woodruff had a strong 2020 season with a 3.05 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 91:18 K:BB across 73.2 innings, and he'll look to carry that level of play into the postseason.

Woodruff (3-5) tossed eight scoreless innings of two-hit baseball Saturday against the Cardinals as he picked up his third win of the season. He walked one batter and struck out 10 in the outing.

Woodruff kept the Brewers' playoff hopes alive Saturday with a dominant performance against the division-rival Cardinals. The right-hander came into the game with the fourth-highest fastball velocity in the National League at 96.4 MPH and was blowing pitches by the Cardinal hitters while occasionally topping out the heater at 98. Woodruff lasted eight innings for the first time in 2020 while recording double-digit punchouts for the second time this month. He'll end the regular season with a 3.05 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 91:18 K:BB across 73.2 innings.

Woodruff (2-5) took the loss Monday against the Reds, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks across 5.2 innings. He fanned nine.

Woodruff was solid once again, but took a tough-luck loss in his second consecutive outing. He was able to get the first two outs of the sixth after logging five scoreless frames, but a two-run shot by Eugenio Suarez bounced him from the game and left him on the hook for the loss. Despite falling to 2-5, Woodruff has allowed just five runs while fanning 26 across his last 19.2 innings.

Woodruff (2-4) took the loss while tossing a complete game (seven innings) in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits. He fanned five and did not issue a walk.

It was a strong showing for Woodruff, but unfortunately for the right-hander, Adam Wainwright was even better for St. Louis. Woodruff was spotted an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, but that would be the only run support the Brewers would give him. The Cardinals belted a pair of solo homers and were able to grind out two more runs (one unearned) to hand the 27-year-old his fourth loss of the season. Despite the defeat, Woodruff appears to be trending in a positive direction, allowing just three earned runs across 14 innings during consecutive quality starts. His next start is scheduled to come Tuesday against the Reds.

Woodruff (2-3) threw seven shutout innings on Friday, allowing one hit while striking out 12 during the Brewers' 1-0 victory over the Cubs.

After struggling against the Cubs in their previous matchup, Woodruff bounced back in a pitchers' duel, throwing 71 of his 100 pitches for strikes in the victory. He'll carry a 3.40 ERA into his start against the Cardinals next week.

Woodruff allowed three earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out seven across 4.1 innings Saturday against Cleveland. He did not factor into the decision.

Woodruff got through four scoreless innings with relative ease. However, things quickly took a turn in the fifth frame, as he allowed a walk, double and home run consecutively before being pulled from the contest. Positively, Woodruff continued to rack up strikeouts, and he now has 22 punchouts across his last 15.1 frames. He'll look to work deeper into his next start, currently projected to come Friday against the Cubs.

Woodruff was reinstated from the paternity list Thursday.

Woodruff rejoins the Brewers' roster after being placed on the paternity list Monday. The right-hander did not miss a start and is slated to take the ball Saturday against Cleveland. He will look to improve upon his last outing, in which he allowed four runs while taking the loss to the Pirates.

Woodruff (personal) is slated to return from the paternity list to start Saturday's game against the Indians, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Assuming Woodruff experiences no complications with the COVID-19 intake testing protocol upon joining the Brewers in Cleveland, he'll be able to stay on turn in the rotation. He left the team to witness the birth of his child immediately after completing his start against the Pirates this past weekend.

Woodruff was placed on the paternity list Monday.

He must miss the next team game, but no more than three games, so Woodruff will be activated prior to his next scheduled start this weekend against Cleveland.

Woodruff (2-3) took the loss Sunday against the Pirates, allowing four runs on four hits and three walks across five innings. He struck out seven.

Woodruff allowed a solo homer to Gregory Polanco in the first and was later taken deep by Josh Bell for a two-run shot in the fourth. Although he was able to punch out seven, the right-hander will certainly be unhappy about yielding three free passes. The 27-year-old will take a 3.67 ERA into his start against the Indians next Sunday.

Woodruff (2-2) allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out eight over six innings in a win over the Reds on Tuesday.

After looking unhittable the first time through the order, Woodruff ran into trouble in the fourth and fifth innings. He loaded the bases with nobody out in the fifth but escaped that inning completely unscathed, limiting the total damage to just two earned runs. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted earlier this week that Woodruff's wife is pregnant and will be induced Sept. 1; Woodruff plans to pitch Sunday against the Pirates before returning home to Mississippi on Monday. He said he will hopefully return in time for his next start after the birth of his child.

Woodruff (1-2) was tagged with the loss in Thursday's loss to Minnesota, throwing five innings and allowing two runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out three.

Woodruff retired the first six batters he faced but ran into trouble in the third inning when a triple and a single accounted for the first run against him. He gave up six more hits between the fourth and fifth frames but managed to escape without yielding any additional run thanks to an outfield assist and a double play. The right-hander came back out for the sixth but was pulled after allowing the first two runners to reach base, one of which eventually came around to score. Collectively, Woodruff allowed a season high in hits (nine) while tallying a season-low three strikeouts and failing to get through six innings for the third straight start. He'll look to rebound in a home appearance against Cincinnati on Tuesday.

Woodruff didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 4-3 win over the Cubs, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander tossed four scoreless innings but got tagged in the fifth, and Woodruff exited the game in line for a loss before Christian Yelich bailed him out with a three-run blast in the sixth. Woodruff threw 86 pitches (59 strikes), and his inefficiency continues to limit his ability to record wins despite a strong 3.16 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 30:7 K:BB through 25.2 innings over five starts. He'll next take the mound Wednesday in Minnesota.

Woodruff allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out five over four innings in a no-decision against the Reds on Sunday.

The Reds made Woodruff work; he needed 30 pitches to get through the first inning and 91 pitches to get through four. He has a sparkling 26:5 K:BB in 20.1 innings this season, so his believers are looking pretty smart early on even though Woodruff still sits with just one win through four starts. Up next is a road matchup against the Cubs, who stuck Woodruff with the loss Opening Day.

Woodruff didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to the White Sox, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out six.

The right-hander was in control through five innings, but Eloy Jimenez rocked him for a game-tying homer in the sixth. Woodruff continues to sparkle to begin 2020, and his 1-1 record doesn't reflect his 2.08 ERA or 21:3 K:BB through 17.1 innings. He'll look to get back in the win column Sunday in a home start against the Reds.

Woodruff (1-1) struck out 10 batters over 6.1 scoreless innings in Wednesday's victory over the Pirates. He allowed just one hit and walked only one batter in the contest.

Woodruff was absolutely dominant Wednesday, ceding only an infield single in the first inning and allowing just one batted ball to even reach the outfield. He served up a two-run homer to the Cubs' Ian Happ on Opening Day but has otherwise kept the opponent off the scoreboard over his first two starts of the season.

Woodruff (0-1) allowed two runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five over five innings in a loss to the Cubs on Opening Day.

This was by no means a bad performance, though Woodruff did only induce seven swinging strikes on 85 pitches. His offense provided him no support. Hopefully the Milwaukee bats will wake up by the time Woodruff's next turn comes around Wednesday in Pittsburgh, as that would seem like a prime spot for a win.

Woodruff was named the Brewers' Opening Day starter Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Woodruff will get the nod July 24 against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. It's no surprise to see him earn the honor, as he's clearly the Brewers' top starter, having cruised to a 3.62 ERA and 29.0 percent strikeout rate last season.