Brewers Acquire Aaron Civale To Bolster Rotation

The MLB trade deadline isn't until July 30, but Milwaukee didn't see any point in waiting to address a glaring need within their roster. To bolster their starting pitching rotation, the Brewers acquired right-hander Aaron Civale from the Rays.

The addition of Civale offers Milwaukee another reliable option in the starting rotation, providing someone with a proven track record that will help stabilize the Brewers' staff.

The move was also beneficial for the Rays, as they have a surplus of starting pitchers with several quality arms expected to return from the Injured List.

Backing the Brewers with Civale

The Brewers are 51-35 on the season and currently lead the NL Central. That success is reflected in the market, with Milwaukee as the heavy favorite to win the division at -350 on DraftKings. The Cardinals (+450) have the second shortest odds, while the Reds, Cubs, and Pirates sit at 22-1 or higher.

There isn't much value in backing the Brewers at the current division price, but taking them at +850 to win the National League isn't a bad bet, especially since they're only 5.5 games behind the league-leading Phillies.

Civale's presence adds depth to the Brewers' rotation, allowing them to manage workloads more effectively and mitigate the impact of injuries. This depth can be particularly valuable during the late-season stretch run and into the postseason. Civale's ability to deliver quality innings will also help reduce the strain on the bullpen and contribute to more wins, which will enhance Milwaukee's chances of claiming the top spot in the NL.

The veteran righty has had an up-and-down season, but there is reason for optimism as he joins Brew City. Civale is just 2-6 on the season with a 5.07 ERA, but his advanced metrics—4.15 xERA and 4.09 xFIP—suggest positive regression is likely.